Part II in this series presents a woman who “stood by her man” on a lie that he contrived, but she was privy to. She is Sapphira, of the duo Ananias and Sapphira. Their story is found in Acts 5:1-11. But, before we get into the lives and deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, it is important to share a little back story about Pentecost and why there were men gathered from several nations in Jerusalem when it occurred. This will help us understand why the duo’s dastardly deed was so heinous.
The Back Story: The Old Testament Pentecost and the New Testament Pentecost
There is an Old Testament (OT) Pentecost and a New Testament Pentecost. OT Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew), is the second major festival of the Israelite liturgical calendar. Because it falls on the fiftieth day after Passover, The Festival of Weeks is also called “Pentecost,” that is, “fiftieth.” The Jewish Feast of Pentecost is primarily a thanksgiving for the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Still, later, it became associated with a remembrance of the law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Many people from many lands were held in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks or OT Pentecost. Our strategic God chose this time to usher in the New Testament Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Christian or New Testament Pentecost is, therefore, a celebration of the Outpouring of the Holy Ghost. This experience is presented in Acts 2:1-8.
2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
As the 120 disciples were “all with one accord in one place,” a “rushing mighty wind filled all the house where they were sitting,” and they saw “cloven tongues like as of fire” resting upon all those in attendance (vv. 1–3). Filled and emboldened by the Spirit, they began preaching to the large crowd of people from “every nation under heaven” and, miraculously, “every man heard them speak in his own language” (vv. 5–6). The chief apostle, Peter, got up and explained that they were witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecy recorded in Joel 2:28–32.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
Peter then began to bear witness to Jesus’s resurrection from the dead and his being both Lord and Christ, the promised Messiah. The multitude was pricked in their hearts, and three thousand were baptized that day (Acts 2:37–41).
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Following the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, the church continued in the Apostle’s doctrine, teaching others what they learned from Jesus. They fellowshipped, ate together, and prayed together. They had the fear of God in their hearts, and they saw the manifestation of God through many signs and wonders done by the apostles. Acts chapter 2:42-45 gives a beautiful description of what the early church was like.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Dake’s note h pg. 217 had this to say about the feasts that followed Pentecost.
Thousands of people were cared for without charge at the feasts of Jerusalem. Therefore, a sort of community of goods was no strange thing in Jewry at such times. This community idea was carried further and longer than a feast. Multitudes were staying longer due to the revival and strange happenings, making it necessary to provide for the people. Many sold their possessions (not necessarily their homes but extra possessions) so that everyone could be provided for. This was only temporary during the revival and was not a church practice as a permanent thing at Jerusalem or elsewhere. The fact that collections were taken only for the poor and not for the church proves the church was not poor. No one was forced to sell anything for the common cause, as proved in Acts 5:4. (1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8:9)
Christians lovingly, openly, and honestly shared what they had to meet the needs of the poor or those who were in need.
And now let us turn our attention to the dastardly deeds of Ananias and Sapphira, presented in Acts 5:1-11 KJV.
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
According to Dake’s Annotated Bible, Ananias, and Sapphira were a husband-and-wife team whose names meant grace and beauty (note f, page 221). Unfortunately for them, their behavior did not live up to their names. Although this post is about women of sin, Ananias’ condition must be discussed for clarity because both Ananias and Sapphira’s lives were intertwined. This dynamic couple was members of the apostolic church and, in all likelihood, had had a salvation experience. We surmise this because why would they participate in a church that was as persecuted as the new apostolic church if they had not had a salvation experience? They had property and wanted to appear to give as openly and freely as the other Saints. Apparently, they had not received the power over sin that the infilling of the Holy Ghost gives. They went before the men of God with their lies. Ananias was judged for his lie, died, and was buried. Then, in walks, Mrs. Sapphira, who repeated the lie, fell dead and was also buried.
The Outcome of Mrs. Sapphira’s sin.
If Ananias and Sapphira had told the truth, they could have just contributed to the community pot any amount they wanted to give, which would have been the end of the story. Sapphira had time to re-evaluate her lie, but she told it anyway. Unfortunately, she lied to the Apostles and the Holy Ghost. The lies told by Ananias and Sapphira took them out, not the amount they gave. Too bad. So sad. But let us all learn from their mistake. If you claim salvation, make sure you have it, and live it with all you’ve got. Most of all, get the power of the Holy Ghost in your life. It’s freely available to you. The Holy Ghost makes the difference.
