And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
The church in Jerusalem was growing. Though they were persecuted, still, they preached openly and boldly. The result was a multitude being saved. The believers were excited about what God was doing. Many of them sold their possessions and gave the money to the church for the good of the body.
Of course, the people were still people and still struggled with sin. Ananias and Sapphira wanted the notoriety of being givers, but they couldn’t bear to part with everything as others had.[1] They pretended to be surrendered givers, but they had hidden part of their money and saved it for themselves. The trouble was not that they kept back some but that they tried to deceive the church’s people. The lesson of their judgment was that it was not men they had sinned against. They had lied to the Holy Ghost.
Notice that Peter’s actions were decisive, swift, and consistent. Ananias died immediately. When Sapphira came later, Peter confirmed she was complicit with her husband. She died as immediately as Ananias did.[2] And great fear fell upon all the church.
The application, of course, is not that pastors ought to kill straying Christians. The application is that they should deal with sin that affects the church decisively, swiftly, and consistently.
Too many churches are injured by too merciful of pastors. Too many pastors are over-stressed because they refuse to deal with the problem people in the church.
Fearing causing others to fear, I fear many pastors fail in their ministries.
[1] No one said they had to give anything – let alone everything.
[2] Notice, Peter did not kill them. They “gave up the ghost”.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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