Biblegems
#142
Question: Do
we know for sure if Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 were believers?
There are actually several indicators in the
context of Acts chapter 5 that Ananias and Sapphira were in fact believers in
Jesus Christ. An added bonus is that finding these details helps us learn how
to study the context of any Bible passage to discover truths that aren’t right
on the surface.
General
Context
The account of Ananias and Sapphira actually
begins in chapter four. In Acts 4:32-37 Luke describes how “all the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any
of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” That
statement is tied to the scene just before, where Peter and John shared the
story with the church of their arrest and release following the healing of the
lame man, and the believers joined in spontaneous praise and prayer. Then, in
verse 33, we learn that the Lord answered their prayer for boldness to continue
witnessing and, as a result, the body of believers grew not only in number but
also in love and unity.
The general context
is all about the body of believers in Jesus and how they responded to what God
was doing through the apostles.
Then, to emphasize what God was doing among these new
believers, Barnabas is highlighted as a good example of this agape love so
typical among the early believers (Acts 4:36-37), and Ananias and Sapphira in
chapter 5 are highlighted as a glaring exception of what God was doing among
these believers. But the point is, they were counted as among the believers.
Specific Context
In Acts 5:3 the apostle Peter is astounded at Ananias “that Satan has so
filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…” Then in verse 9 Peter expresses the same surprise at Sapphira’s
willingness to conspire with her husband and “agree to test the Spirit of the Lord…” If they had been unbelievers there would be no
reason to be surprised at their selfish, deceitful behavior. There would be
even less reason to be surprised at how they had lied to the Holy Spirit or had
been manipulated by Satan. The reality is…
2Cor. 4:4 The god of this age
has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
But as Christians—and especially as recently converted Christians—their behavior came as a shock.
Ananias and Sapphira’s tragic failure stands in Scripture as
reminder that a born-again believer is not exempt from temptation and sin. It
is also a reminder that God loves us so much that He will discipline His
people, even publicly, that others might learn from their example.
1Pet. 4:17 For it is time for
judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will
the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
To say they were believers because the surrounding passages are referring to "believers" is a huge stretch. All of Paul's letters to the churches are addressed to believers. That is a general address and does not mean there are no wolves dressed in sheep's clothing or weeds among the wheat like Jesus decrees there will be. Also, Peter is not privy to God's certain knowledge of who is or isn't saved, so for him to be astounded doesn't mean anything. Was he supposed to be nonchalent because he already knew they were not saved? No. He was giving a righteous reaction to wickedness among people who claimed to be believers.
ReplyDeleteOnly those who stand firm to the end will be saved, being kept blameless by Christ, delivered FROM sin not delivered over to sin. They were brought down in shame and their story has been repeated for 2000 years as an example to cause God's elect to fear God. I thank God for an effective salvation that predestines me to be conformed to his image in ever-increasing glory not disgrace.