Question 1

Who were Ananias and Sapphira in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Ananias and Sapphira were a married couple in the early church who sold a piece of property. They wanted to look generous like others who were giving to help the needy. They agreed together to keep back part of the money but pretend they were giving the full amount. Their sin was not that they kept some of the money, but that they lied about it to the apostles and, as Peter says, to the Holy Spirit and to God. Their story warns that hypocrisy can exist even among believers.

Question 2

What does it mean that Ananias lied to the Holy Ghost and to God?

Accepted Answer

When Peter says Ananias lied to the Holy Ghost and then says he lied to God, he shows that the Holy Spirit is fully God and personally present in the church. Ananias was not just fooling human leaders; he was acting as if God would not see his hidden plan. By pretending to give all while secretly holding back, he treated God as if God were blind. The passage teaches that God knows our hearts and that lying in a spiritual matter is lying directly to Him.

Question 3

Why was keeping back part of the price such a serious sin?

Accepted Answer

The problem was not that Ananias and Sapphira kept some money. Peter makes clear the land and the price were theirs, and they were free to decide what to do with it. Their sin was the planned deceit: they wanted the praise of giving everything while secretly holding back. This was hypocrisy, greed, and a lack of trust in God’s care. They agreed together to act this way, letting Satan fill their hearts. The passage shows that pretending to be more devoted than we are is serious before God.

Question 4

Why did Ananias and Sapphira die so suddenly after lying?

Accepted Answer

Their sudden deaths show God’s direct judgment on their sin at a very early and tender stage of the church. God used this moment to show how holy He is and how serious hypocrisy and deceit are among His people. Peter did not strike them; God did. The quick judgment made clear that their lie was not a small matter but a sin against God Himself. This brought great fear on all who heard, teaching the church to be honest and to respect God’s presence among them.

Question 5

What does it mean that they tempted the Spirit of the Lord?

Accepted Answer

When Peter says Sapphira and Ananias agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord, it means they were testing God, acting as if He might not notice or care about their lie. They chose, with full awareness, to see whether they could get away with pretending. To tempt the Spirit is to treat God’s holiness lightly and to push the limits of His patience. This passage shows that such deliberate testing of God, especially in spiritual gifts and promises, is dangerous and dishonors Him.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about hypocrisy in the church?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that hypocrisy is not just acting; it is a heart choice that offends God. Ananias and Sapphira wanted the honor of being known as generous without the real sacrifice. Their example warns that a church can look healthy on the outside while some hearts are false. God cares about truth and integrity in the community of believers. The story urges us to match our words and actions, not to seek praise, and to be honest about what we give and who we are before God.

Question 7

What does this story show about the Holy Spirit’s role in the church?

Accepted Answer

The story shows that the Holy Spirit is present, holy, and all-knowing in the church. Peter’s insight into the hidden plan of Ananias and Sapphira comes through the Spirit’s knowledge. To lie to the Spirit is to lie to God Himself, which tells us the Spirit is divine, not just a force. The Spirit guards the purity of the church and exposes sin when needed. This reminds believers that their life together is lived before God’s Spirit, who cares about truth and holiness.

Question 8

Why did great fear come upon all the church and those who heard?

Accepted Answer

Great fear came because people saw that God was not to be taken lightly. Two people fell dead after being confronted about their lie. This showed that God sees what is hidden and will judge sin, especially when it is wrapped in a show of religion. The fear was not just terror but a deep respect and awareness of God’s holiness. It helped protect the church from careless, fake devotion and reminded everyone that worship and giving must come from sincere hearts.

Question 9

How can believers today apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira?

Accepted Answer

Believers today can take this story as a call to be honest with God and with each other. It invites us to check our motives in giving, serving, and speaking. Are we doing things to be seen, or out of love for God and trust in Him? It also warns us not to make promises to God or others that we do not really mean. We should ask God to keep us from hypocrisy, to help us live openly before Him, and to remember that He knows what is in our hearts.

Acts 5:1

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Ananias and Sapphira

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Acts 5:1

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

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Ananias and Sapphira

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