The
book of Acts is a record of the spread the first Church. In the first chapter,
Jesus rises to his position with God. Two messengers promise his Apostles his
return will be similar (see Act 1:9-11).
In the second chapter, the Apostles speak with the authority of God
during Pentecost--many people hear the message despite language barriers
because of God's movement. People are added to their numbers in a great
multitude and a need arises. To provide for each other the new believers decide
to sell all their belongings and pool their funds together. At this time the
Apostles heal, preach, and lead. They even find themselves in prison--only to
have God release them from bondage. So the story of Ananias and with his wife
Sapphira sticks out a little from the natural flow of Acts. In Acts Chapter 5,
Ananias and Sapphira plan together. They
sell their belongings as a donation to the greater good; however, decide to
keep a little for themselves. Peter directs attention to Ananias about this
issues:
Acts 4:4-5
...
Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men
but to God!” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear
came on all who heard.
The
very consequence of Ananias' charity seems harsh. It demands attention. Not only does he take Ananias' life, later on
he takes Sapphira' life (Acts 5:10). This text caused me to ask questions: Why
did God do so? Is not our God a righteous God? And if so, why does this
judgment seem harsh? Not all of these questions get answers, but reading
further does give insight:
Acts 4: 15-16
As
a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots
and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of
them. In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding
Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean
spirits, and they were all healed.
In
this scripture, I see God detests hypocrisy. While Ananias and Sapphira gave,
they withheld. Later in Acts it becomes more evident that the mutual need of
the community only increases(see Acts 6:1). Despite the apparent charity, the
death of these two people can be seen as the result of sin. Jesus wants his
church to be wholly obedient to his holy cause. Not partially, and not
deceitfully. Jesus gave himself to the point of death, all to heal us. In the
above scripture we see Peter mimics this. Peter heals the physical and the
spiritual at risk of himself.
It
has been said Acts is purely history, and we should look at it from this
perspective. To form a view that God will always exercise such judgment misses
his redemptive quality and the Wisdom found in
Matt 5:45:...He
causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous.
