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A Little Fear Can be a Good Thing In Acts 5, we have the account of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the apostles and the Holy Ghost over the proceeds of a piece of property that they had sold. They claimed that they were donating the total proceeds to the common purse, when in fact they had kept back a certain amount for themselves. Their sin was not in how much they donated but only in lying about the facts. When questioned separately by Peter they both falsely affirmed that they were donating 100% of the sale. Both were instantly judged and fell over dead and were carried out and buried. Why did the writer of Acts insert this very negative incident in his narration. By today’s standards this piece of unpleasantness would be judged as too negative to mention. It might break the flow of revival. Good things are happening, don’t mess it up. Our present church mentality chooses to dwell on God’s love to the exclusion of anything negative. I’m very happy to be the recipient of His love as well as His grace and mercy, but to ignore God’s judgment and wrath is a fatal error that we don’t want to commit. We have only to read the words of Jesus in Revelation 1-3, where He condemns some churches while praising others. Those who failed were cut off and those who persevered and excelled were lauded and promised great blessing. Paul writing in Romans 11:22 reminds us how that Israel, God’s chosen people, was cut off because of unbelief. He reminds us that we gentiles are recipients of God’s goodness, but that we will also be cut off if we follow the same pattern of unbelief as Israel. Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. The writer of Hebrews (Paul, Barnabas or whomever, scholars can’t agree) gives a solemn warning to New Testament believers in Hebrews 2:1-4). If Israel received swift and certain punishment for disobeying the commandments of angels, then how are we going to escape if we neglect this great salvation. Especially when we have seen the confirmation of God’s word confirmed by signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Again in Hebrews 4 we are encouraged to grasp the promises of God lest we fall like Israel, because of unbelief. Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Pretty negative I agree. While we all like to stress the positive, it is always needful to look at the other side of the equation. Actually, when speaking of positive and negative, it’s like a math equation. You can’t have one without the other. Okay, back to the positive! The news of the death of Ananias and Sapphira had an effect on the various Jewish sects (vs. 13) : They weren’t about to join that church! But the common people gladly accepted the apostles and their doctrine. Thus the revival continued in Jerusalem, and multituded of men and women believed and were added to the church. The apostles performed many great signs and wonders. Just as the Spirit of God transfigured Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, the Spirit of God emanated from Peter to the extent that people brought their sick and afflicted and laid them out where they hoped that Peter’s shadow would pass over them, resulting in healing. Acts 5:12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. Verse 12 states that they were all in one accord. Just like the day of Pentecost. These folks had not only seen the crucified Savior, but they had seen Him risen and glorified. They had been to the tomb and found it empty . They had seen Him come through locked doors. After that nothing else of this world mattered. Their only concern was to preach His death and burial and especially His resurrection and enthronement on the throne of heaven. So tell me, how does this account of the very primitive church compare with much of what goes on in Christian circles today? God help Us! Help us to concentrate on the gospel and only the gospel. May we be like Paul, who determined to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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