tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701619496980934055.post8651383132682579732..comments2023-09-23T21:08:55.115-04:00Comments on Bible Gems for Friendship: Ananias And Sapphira: Believers?Pastor Colemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08347900801045661498noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701619496980934055.post-77961774246161604222021-12-24T20:03:31.139-05:002021-12-24T20:03:31.139-05:00To say they were believers because the surrounding...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. <br />Only 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. Jason Statonnoreply@blogger.com