Bible Questions and Answers

What events took place in Act's 5:6-10, and what does it mean to me?

Acts 5:6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were baptised believers who sold a possession to donate the money to the church in Jerusalem for charitable purposes. They told Peter that they were giving all the money from the sale, but they were lying. They had kept back part of the money for their own use. Peter had been baptised with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which meant that if they lied to Peter they were lying to God’s Holy Spirit and hence to God.

For agreeing to lie about the transaction they were punished with instant death.

It was a proverbial case

2 Peter 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "The dog turns back to its own vomit," and, "The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud."

Having believed the gospel and been baptised into Christ for the remission of their past sins, they decided to deliberately turn to sin again.

They were made an example of as a deterance to others.

Acts 5:11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

I cannot tell you what it means to you.

Have you believed the gospel and been baptised into Christ for the remission of your past sins? If so, are you thinking of turning back to a life of sin? After baptism we cannot live a sinless life, but there is a difference between sin committed through weakness and deliberate premeditated sin. The former will be forgiven by confession in prayer.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The latter puts us in danger of not being forgiven.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

God’s mercy is great but he will not be ‘mocked’.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn