Heartbreak of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we learned about the heartbeat of the church, unity, community.
Exegesis
Exegesis
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But, this conjunction ties into the preceeding pericope in a logical contrasting way. The preceeding idea or theme was that of unity
cardinal Stephen Langton, 1205 Chapter divisions used today
Robert Stephanus, French printer and scholar, converted to protestant, 1550-1570 added verse divisions
Ananais and Sapphira (with her knowldege)
She wasn’t just aware, she was in agreement. The greek translates σύνοιδα (soo-noid-uh) meaning to be conscious together an accomplice..
The act that was about to take place was premeditated and conspiratory.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles 1. Judgment in the Church (5:1–11)
The ‘original sin’ of the church is portrayed in terms of the misuse of money and possessions!
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
Satan -> filled (tempted)
This first question exposes the heart of the problem. Until now, the “filling” described by Luke refered to the Holy Spirit. Now we see that Satan was Ananias and Sapphira’s motivation
The next two questions indicate that they were under no obligation to sell the land, nor, once sold, to give the proceeds.
He was seeking human praise rather than the praise of God
you —> contrived (literally deposited) The temptation planted, allured by desire.
The culpability lied with Ananias, not Satan
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
The sin was lying, not only to man, but to God
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
What is surprising in this situation is that the sentence of God fell immediately upon Ananias, without any chance for repentance.
We see another causal chain here in the text.
Cause: Ananias heard: ἀκούω akoo-uh ( to listen; to hear) it is where we get the word acoustic
Peter’s Spirit-inspired words laid bare the attitude and action of Ananias and condemned him before God and his people
Effect: Ananias died: Also a cause
Effect: fear (not terror or panic, but awe, reverence at the supernatural.)
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
opportunity for confession
agreed again we see the conspiratory act
Saphira died
witnesses feared God
Their deception of the community was actually a challenge to the Spirit of the Lord, who is the source of the church’s life and holiness (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16–17; 1 Thes. 4:7–8). It was ‘an act of arrogance, not just avarice
Why would God judge the, in this way? It seems quite extreme. Was it a just punishment?
This is early on in the life of the church; the foundation was being laid.
There are some parallels with Achan in Joshua 7 where material desires resulted in sin. In both of these cases, deceit marked the early days of God’s people under both covenants.
Second, as Peter says, they were lying to God.
served to purify and warn the church
Application
Application
What can we take away from this episode in the early church. Here is what I would say.
Follow me here:
Were Ananias and Saphira saved
Context in Chapter 4: Believers.
Discipline
if (!discipline) then: illegitimate (not children of God)
This discipline occured within the church
8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
So, even believers can be led into bold and fragrant sin.