Establishing the church
The first passage has an abundance of symbolism and foreshadowing. Adam and Eve were spiritually dead after their original sin. God kills Ananias and Sapphira after they commit the first sin within the church. This actually helps establish the church as it served to demonstrate that God is indeed serious about providing atonement for our sin. This chapter is extremely powerful to me as it demonstrates the sheer power of god and reminds me he is the author of life, health healing and all that is good.
Also for them to live left the potential for their behavior to create dissension. It strikes me God is birthing his church and is exasperated with the greed induced, two faced attitude of the couple. They were spiritually dead to have acted so deviously toward God and the new church, so them being struck down was essentially a formality. It also sent a message that accepting Christ as one's savior results in a "new nature." A new nature that would not even consider such deceit.
Assuming Luke's description in Acts is sequential, I believe it is no coincidence the description of the apostles healing many immediately follows the passage about Ananias and Sapphira. The shadow of Peter healing the sick seems a testimony to the believers faith and Peter's obedience to Christ and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Interesting the Sadducees and the high priest were "jealous" of the apostles but God did not strike them dead. They were not believers and while their hearts were hard they created a foil for the apostles and the infant church. No question who was wearing the black hat if you will.
Created over 2 years ago
