“But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, ‘What do we? For this Man doeth many miracles. If we let Him thus alone, all will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.’
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, ‘Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.’
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” John 11:46-53
Conspiracy
Slain By The Spirit
Acts 5:1-11
There had been a great generous spirit within the early church which supported the people and the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some may in fact have given out of jealousy and envy; like the ones we see in chapter 5 (4:32-37).
TWO IN THE CHURCH SOLD A POSSESSION OF LAND, THEN LIED ABOUT THE AMOUNT (Acts 5:1-2). There was no pressure for anyone to give. Barnabas one who sold all he had and gave to the Church was blessed by the Lord for doing so, but that was not his reason for giving. I am sure he had a pure motive, which would and did glorify God.
The only pressure which Ananias and Sapphira experienced was the pressure of envy, or jealousy. These two things can bring ruin into a life and a church. It can also be the ruin of many a family, a business, a city, or any other government. The attitude of these two was probably “Keeping up with the Joneses” as is the problem with people of two thousand and eight.
This couple had saw an opportunity to express themselves, receive a few accolades from the others, and keep back part of the proceeds from the sale for themselves; maybe put it back for gaining interests, or a rough, rainy period or something like that. There was nothing wrong with the only giving a portion of the proceeds to the church; what was wrong was their deceit in the giving, and declaring that they were giving it all to the church; when they did not. They, Ananias first, lied to the Spirit of God.
SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT THROUGH THE APOSTLE PETER CONFRONTS THE SINNING ANANIAS (vv. 3-4). Spiritual discernment is greatly needed in our postmodern era. We have lying teachers and “prophets” and I use the term “prophets” loosely. These are ‘prophets’ of doom in the future, leading people into the fires of eternal torment.
We are not told what gave Peter a clue to the lie. It was by the Spirit of God definitely, however, there are sometimes clues people give to telling lies, if we have the discernment to make that determination. Have you ever been told, “You’re not even a good liar”? That is really a compliment. That would be something someone says to you after you have made a statement in jest, or “Pulling the leg” as I have often heard said. I am not questioning whether the Spirit of God was the discerner of the eventful lies, but wondering what Ananias did that gave Peter a heads up.
It would seem that Peter is wondering how a man can lie to God, and think that God would not know. One thing is for certain, we see that the Spirit of God is upon and within Peter and all the apostles through this event.
Every Christian is to use the gift of discernment. We can discern whether a word is from God. We can discern whether the words a man or woman speaks is from God or the contents of their own thoughts and heart. We can discern whether seeming miraculous events are of God or manipulations of things, thoughts, and torments of men. We must practice spending time with God in His written Word, in prayer and when God leads in fasting. We must also practice the principles of godliness, holiness, righteousness in life. When one is saved these things become the desires of our hearts.
Spiritual discernment does no good if it does not confront that which is wrong and evil. That is what Peter did on this day which would change the Church for years to come. What if Peter, even though the Spirit had revealed this sin of Ananias to him, would have overlooked the sin, received the gift, and never said a word to Ananias? Don’t you love “What ifs”? Peter did confront it. He didn’t have any other choice before God. It was not Peter who struck him down. It was in fact the power of the Spirit of God.
UPON HEARING HIS SECRET WAS OUT, REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, ANANIAS DIES A SPEEDY DEATH IS CARRIED AWAY AND BURIED (vv. 5-6). Something we might very well consider at this point is that the Church being new, had much to learn, concerning sin in their lives. Lying is not good, and never is when you lie to God. There are other times in the Bible where God judges immediately due to sinful behavior. Take these for example: the sons of Aaron – Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3); then you have Ahio escorting the Ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem who was slain on the spot for touching the Ark (2 Samuel 6:1-10). Both of these events were the beginning of a new era; a new time of hope. During those times God’s people still must learn to remember that you cannot violate the holiness or the law of God. The message concerning Ananias and Sapphira is the same. Just because we are in the New Testament does not negate God’s wrath upon disobedience to His Law, nor His holiness.
THE CONSPIRIACY OF THE LIE IN SAPPHIRA IS DISCOVERED AND JUDGED (vv. 7-10). There was a deliberate act to deceive. There was a conspiracy between a husband and wife, and that conspiracy was against God. Who would dare conspire against God? A hypocrite. Do you think that God does not know your heart and mind? He knows, O, man the very hairs of your head. He knows, O, woman every thought that you think no one else knows. God knows.
This is clearly a planned act to deceive. It is clearly a planned act to lie and conspire against the Church, the apostles, and especially against God. I wonder how far they really thought they would get with this “little lie”. Who will it hurt if we keep part of it for ourselves? Will it hurt anyone? Yes! It will hurt someone. It will, first of all, hurt the liar. It will hurt their fellowship with God, with the church family, it will hurt the ministry of the church, and repercussions will go on and on. God will judge sin. As Moses has written, “Be sure your sin will find you out”
AN EARLY JUDGMENT IN THE CHURCH LETS US KNOW THAT GOD WILL STILL JUDGE SIN (v. 11). It is written elsewhere is the New Testament, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31), and “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29).
Those who can read the New Testament and come away with the idea of God being only a god of love without wrath, comes away with a false deity who is powerless, and unworthy of worship. It is in the gospels we learn of His great love and His wrath. It is through His divine Son Jesus Christ we learn of that love and wrath.
It was Jesus who bore His wrath for our redemption. He paid the price that should have been ours to pay. Our paying the price of our sin would have meant eternal torment, eternal separation from the Creator, eternal wrath by His own hands.
These early believers had on display the wrath of God against lying to Him. Though the two liars thought they were just deceiving the church, they were in fact lying to God, and He took vengeance on them, and it brought the “fear of God” on the church. Do churches do themselves, the people who sin, or God any favor by refusing to deal with sinful behavior by those who are members of their church? It really only continues to invite sinful behavior within the church. It is a sin for the church, the pastor and congregation not to deal with, and discipline for confession, repentance and restoration of that member.
It is still a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. He is still a consuming fire. Maybe this early judgment upon members of the church is only unique to remind us of God’s holiness and power; and that we cannot fool Him. Maybe it should cause us to realize that even if we are His, He will not let us get away with sin.
-Tim A. Blankenship
These are study notes for a sermon preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church on October 19, 2008.
Conspiracy Theorists
Prophets were often accused of conspiring with enemy forces. Isaiah was no different. Isaiah was involved in a conspiracy, but not with the enemy of Israel or Judah. He was in a conspiracy with the LORD of hosts. That is “The Conspiracy” I write of in this article. If preachers are to be the men of God we have been called to be we will be accused at times of conspiring against our church, our people, and sometimes even accused of going against tradition, when we really are not.
The prophet Isaiah is told by God, “not to walk in the way of this people”. When our people are going astray, when they are living out of the will of the LORD, when they are in feuds with one another, when they are charging the preacher of conspiracy, then is the time for that preacher to stand and preach like he has never preached the Word before. It is not the time to back down.
Hear the Word of the LORD spoken to Isaiah:
“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” Isaiah 8:11-15 (KJV)
The prophet is being directed by the LORD to have no walk in the way of his people. They were actually accusing this man of God of conspiring with the enemy, and they wanted to pronounce judgment upon this man Isaiah.
As I look as this passage of Scripture I find myself wondering, “What did they fear?”, “What did they dread?” Were they fearing the dreaded enemy that they had heard was coming? It seems to me that they were probably fearing the failure of the economy. The failure of their insurance policies, ie., their walls. They may have been more fearful of their health failing them as well. What ever they feared Isaiah is told not to fear the same things, but rather to “Regard as holy” Him who is speaking to the prophet. He is assured that God will be his sanctuary – a place of protection and solitude.
The prophet is also told “Let Him (ie., God) be your fear, and let Him be your dread”. The only hope anyone has is in the LORD. It does no one any good whatsoever to fear and dread anything that is human, or thing, or thought, or act of another. We have absolutely no control over other’s lives; but God does.
We can stand assured by God and His Word that those who stand against God, His Word, and His men will find a Rock of offense, they will stumble, they shall fall, and be broken. If there is a conspiracy among the men of God; let “The Conspiracy” be that we are faithful to God, His Word, and His way. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the Word, warning the people, encouraging the people who are weary, “comforting the afflicted; and afflicting the comfortable.”
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 