Theory question 107
Pentecost and the Early Church(a) Outline the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Ananias and Sapphira. (b) State four lessons the church of today can learn from the actions of Ananias and Sapphira that led to their death.
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(a) The believers shared everything; landowners sold property and brought the money to the apostles (Acts 4:32-35).
Barnabas sold a field and brought the money (Acts 4:36-37).
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold property and, with her knowledge, kept back part of the price (Acts 5:1-2).
He brought only part and laid it at the apostles' feet as if it were all (Acts 5:2).
Peter asked why Satan filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit; the property and money were his own; he had lied to God (Acts 5:3-4).
Ananias fell down and died (Acts 5:5-6).
About three hours later Sapphira came and lied about the price (Acts 5:7-8).
Peter asked how they agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord; she fell down and died (Acts 5:9-10).
Great fear came on the whole church (Acts 5:11).
(b) Any four: God hates lying; giving must be honest and voluntary; we cannot deceive God; husbands and wives should not agree in sin; greed leads to destruction; leaders should deal with sin in the church.
Narrate Acts 4:32–5:11, then four lessons.