Lesson 4611

 (Lesson 4611)(09-18-24) Acts 5:1-11 

   “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 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. 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? 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. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 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. 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. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold property but deceitfully withhold part of the proceeds while pretending to give the full amount to the apostles. Peter confronted them, revealing that they lied to the Holy Spirit. As a result, both are struck dead. This passage serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy, dishonesty, and testing God's Spirit. For today’s Children of God, it emphasizes the importance of integrity, transparency, and reverence in our dealings with the Christian community.  ~