In Acts 4:32-35, we have another summary of the early believers, much like the summary found in Acts 2:42-47. This summary emphasises their unity and generosity (v32). What is the reason for their unity and generosity? We read in v33-34 that ‘God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there was no needy person among them’. We then get a description of what some of the early believers did – the richest of them sold land and gave so that the money could be given to those in need (v34-36). If unity and generosity is a mark of God’s grace powerfully at work in us – are we displaying signs of God’s grace to one another?
However, this is not some heavenly utopia, as we see with the episode of Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11. What’s going on here?
1: Although the exact same words aren’t used, we are meant to see a contrast between Ananias and the believers earlier in the chapter.[1] Here ‘Satan has so filled’ Ananias’ heart that he has lied to the Holy Spirit (5:3), in Acts 4:31 the early believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly. Influenced by Satan, Ananias (and Sapphira’s) love of money caused deceit, when no deceit was necessary. It was entirely voluntary how much they gave (v4), and yet the lie exposed Ananias’ heart.
This raises the question – were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Church tradition would favour yes, much like some in Corinth died under judgement because of their misuse of communion (1 Cor 11:30-32). However, the way Ananias is introduced as ‘a man’ in 5:1 is representative of introducing unbelievers for the first time throughout Acts (3:2; 8:9; 8:27; 10:1; 14:8; 16:9).[2] On top of this, the way Ananias is contrasted with Judas should not be overlooked. Though Luke in Luke 22:3 says ‘Satan entered Judas’; the concept of Satan filling Ananias’ heart is too similar to ignore (5:3). On top of this, both are enticed by money and both die in judgement.
2: Whichever way you look at it, this was clearly God’s judgement. Ananias had lied against the Holy Spirit who is God (5:4), and by Satan getting his deceptive claws into the early church, this was an awesome demonstration of God’s holiness and judgement against sin. In a time when the church was still in its infancy (5:11 is the first time ‘church’ is used in Acts), a demonstration of God’s holiness and judgement was needed to guard against internal corruption so that the mission of the church would not be compromised. Indeed, Ananias and Sapphira knew exactly what they were doing – by deceiving the early church they were sowing seeds of disunity and practising greed, not generosity. And greed is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), which is a wicked thing in God’s eyes.
Indeed, other than shedding innocent blood, Ananias had committed 6 of the 7 sins that are detestable to God. As Proverbs 6:16:19 states, ‘There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community’.[3]
3: The response to all this was ‘great fear’, mentioned twice in (5:5; 5:11). Perhaps for some this casts uncomfortable allusions back to Achan in Joshua 7, but whatever memories it stirred, this was fear in light of a holy God judging sin. And it should be a reality check for us too. Do we realise how much God hates sin? That ongoing, unrepentant sin, has no place in God’s holy church?
4: In this story, who do we want to be – Barnabas ‘the son of encouragement’ (v36) or Ananias, the child of greed? Ironically Ananias means ‘the LORD has shown favour’, and Sapphira means ‘the beautiful one’.[4] Neither lived up to their names – The Lord’s favour, the Lord’s grace was not powerfully at work in Ananias, and Sapphira had committed an ugly act of sin. Their actions challenge us to ask some searching questions – are our lives marked by grace or greed? Unity or deception? Inner-beauty or sin?
[1] David G. Petersen, The Acts of the Apostles: The Pillar New Testament Commentary, p. 209-210. The same verb here to describe Ananias’ heart being filled is used to describe the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:52.
[2] Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts: Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, p. 282.
