Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Strike one...and you're out?

I've been thinking about this story since Sunday, and I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the message. Our ABF discussed the fate of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5: 1-11. I admit, I was unfamiliar with this Biblical episode; I certainly had never heard any preacher sermonize on the crime of this couple nor can I remember ever covering it in my early Sunday school classes- which is probably a good thing because I'm guessing young children might not be overly receptive to this story of swift punishment.

My intitial reaction was, "Geeze, that sounds pretty harsh ...what happened to the Church's doctrine of forgiveness and giving everyone the opportunity to repent their sins?" These poor souls were struck down immediately, and no clue is given (I don't think) regarding their ultimate destiny/fate. I also found it ironic that it was Peter who confronted this couple...the same Peter who denied Christ three times. Wasn't his actions in the courtyard an act of deceit...pretending to be somebody other than that of a follower of Christ? Considering the compassion/ forgiveness that Christ showed to Peter, I wonder why this husband and wife were not offered the same opportunity for redemption?

I do understand the serious nature of Ananias and Sapphira's sin- not just lying, but deceit against God...but again, it just seems like their swift punishment contradicts what Christ called us to do as Christians in regards to showing love and mercy towards our fellow man and inviting them to become part of His church. The book of Acts can be a fascinating read for someone who is interested in learning about the early church, its heroes, and joining the Christian faith...but I don't know that I'd be quick to recommend this chapter as part of a "welcome package" into our church.

This Biblical story also reminded me of one of my favorite world literture pieces that I've taught in the past, Dante's Inferno. Interestingly enough, he too despises deceit- evidenced by the fact that he places the falsifiers in circle 8 of hell...far below the murderers, rapists, and thieves. Off hand, I can't remember their actual punishment, but I'm guessing it was pretty gruesome.
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4 comments:

emily said...

One thought on the fate of A & S is that with the inception of the Church, God reminded His people that He is still holy and takes sin very seriously. One key to this is in Acts 5:11, after Sapphira died: "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events." We also see a little later, in Acts 9:31, that the Church "was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." It seems likely that this event served as a reminder to the Church of God's complete holiness, and His intolerance of sin.

In the Old Testament, when God was making Himself known to the Israelites and covenanting with them to be their God and they His people, He did the same thing.

Take the priests, Nadab and Abihu, for example (Leviticus 10:1-5). When they offered unauthorized fire to the LORD, fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them. God's response was, "Among those who approach me
I will show myself holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored."

The people needed to know of God's holiness so that they would fear and love Him. According to Deuteronomy 10:12, that's what God requires of His people.

When Moses gave the 10 Commandments, the Israelites saw the glory of God on the mountain in thunder, lightning, smoke, and a trumpet. They were afraid. Moses told them, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning" (Exodus 20:20).

Fear and love add tension throughout Scripture, yet, like justice and grace, they are complemetary (Psalm 33:18). In the midst of God's people's sin and His judgment, we see His long-suffering, grace and compassion. Though Israel continually rebelled against Him, He chased after them and gave them countless opportunities to repent before finally sending them into exile. And certainly, His grace was no less evident in the early Church and to us today.

February 09, 2006 11:10 PM
emily said...

Just one more thought—Ananias and Sapphira had all of this Old Testament history to look back on, and more than likely knew all of these stories.

February 09, 2006 11:20 PM
Rob Eubank said...

This is interesting Emily...do you think that this particular story, which kind of has an "Old Testament" flavor to it, was included by Luke as an attempt to reach out to the orthodox Jewish people who may have been still somewhat skeptical of embracing Christianity? I guess a type of link from the old to the new....especially since in the next couple of chapters we see Stephen lecturing the Sanhedrin and giving them quite the discourse on the Old Testament.

February 12, 2006 5:43 AM
Rob Eubank said...

...An after-thought...just looking over again at chapter 8, it seems as though a similar situation occurs with Simon the Sorcerer. It appears that the disciples have no more tolerance for his attitude than they had for the lies of Ananias and Sapphira in chapter 5...yet, with a different outcome. Peter looks at him and tells him to repent and pray to the Lord... giving this guy a 2nd shot at life

February 12, 2006 5:56 AM

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