Ananias & Sapphira

[MoreCoffee]

Church discipline does not usually follow the example from Acts 5 but what is the lesson you take from the story given in the chapter?

Acts 5:1-11 [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a field, [2] and he was deceitful about the price of the field, with his wife"s consent. And bringing only part of it, he placed it at the feet of the Apostles. [3] But Peter said: "Ananias, why has Satan tempted your heart, so that you would lie to the Holy Spirit and be deceitful about the price of the land? [4] Did it not belong to you while you retained it? And having sold it, was it not in your power? Why have you set this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!" [5] Then Ananias, upon hearing these words, fell down and expired. And a great fear overwhelmed all who heard of it. [6] And the young men rose up and removed him; and carrying him out, they buried him. [7] Then about the space of three hours passed, and his wife entered, not knowing what had happened. [8] And Peter said to her, "Tell me, woman, if you sold the field for this amount?" And she said, "Yes, for that amount." [9] And Peter said to her: "Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out!" [10] Immediately, she fell down before his feet and expired. Then the young men entered and found her dead. And they carried her out and buried her next to her husband. [11] And a great fear came over the entire Church and over all who heard these things.​

 

[Rens]

That I'll never be as stupid as Adam and Saffira again. You want to go sin and refuse to listen? Then I'm gone. I'm not gonna help you die and I ain't got no time fo that, I have bunnies to feed.

 

[psalms 91]

That there are consequenses for lying to the Holy Spirit

 

[Rens]

Fear of the Lord. Don't sin on purpose and think He'll be lovy dovey and gracious.

 

[MoreCoffee]

The story does not appal you? The thought that giving lots of money (but not all) would be punished by instant death?

 

[Rens]

The story does not appal you? The thought that giving lots of money (but not all) would be punished by instant death?

Ehm no. At times those scandals came out of pastors stealing money from church I thought: you may be happy that His Shekinah Glory isn't in church like it used to be, so you still have time to convert. That is weird. Today you can get away with stuff and later say sorry. And then too btw, the guy who lived with his father's wife. I don't see why this is sinning against the Spirit and something else not.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Ehm no. At times those scandals came out of pastors stealing money from church I thought: you may be happy that His Shekinah Glory isn't in church like it used to be, so you still have time to convert. That is weird. Today you can get away with stuff and later say sorry. And then too btw, the guy who lived with his father's wife. I don't see why this is sinning against the Spirit and something else not.

Ananias & Sapphira didn't steal church money. They told a lie.

 

[Rens]

Ananias & Sapphira didn't steal church money. They told a lie.

Yes.
Also, He said to the apostles: if you forgive someone he's forgiven, if you don't he's not. They apparently knew how to distinguish between sins. They didn't give him nor her a second chance. And it says: don't pray for those who sin unto death. This is clearly a sin unto death. They didn't steal, but the ones who did the last centuries, lied about it too and were still forgiven later. Guess it was because the nearer you come to His Glory the easier you drop dead, like that man who tried to catch the Ark.

 

[Josiah]

It's generally bad to lie.

 

[MoreCoffee]

It's generally bad to lie.

Instant execution bad?

 

[Josiah]

Instant execution bad?

God is never bad.

Never bad to note the power of the Law. Actually, we'd ALL be instantly executed if it were not for God's UNCONDITIONAL love, God's MERCY - the Gospel. There are Scriptures that conflict with the extreme watering-down, denial of the Law that some people impose upon God (and thus mock the Cross).


- Josiah

 

[MoreCoffee]

God is never bad.

Never bad to note the power of the Law. Actually, we'd ALL be instantly executed if it were not for God's UNCONDITIONAL love, God's MERCY - the Gospel. There are Scriptures that conflict with the extreme watering-down, denial of the Law that some people impose upon God (and thus mock the Cross).


- Josiah

That's not the question being asked [MENTION=13]Josiah[/MENTION]. The question is about execution for lying. The circumstances for the lie is interesting. The condition for the instant execution is interesting too. Tell Peter the lie, be told by Peter that it is lying to God, suddenly drop dead.

 

[Josiah]

[MENTION=60]MoreCoffee[/MENTION]


God is never bad. I reject even the implication of such.

And it's never bad to note the power of the Law. Actually, we'd ALL be instantly executed if it were not for God's UNCONDITIONAL love, God's MERCY - the Gospel. There are Scriptures that conflict with the extreme watering-down, denial of the Law that some people impose upon God (and thus mock the Cross). It's good to be reminded of BOTH the power of the Law and the glory of the GOSPEL - watering down neither, not blending or confusing or entangling them. There, but by the mercy of God, go I.


- Josiah