In Acts 5 we have a couple in the newly created church at Jerusalem, Ananias and Saphira by name, who are rebuked by Peter and both fall dead. Mostly, we are taught that God killed them for lying about the price of the field they sold. By teaching this we are, of course, furthering the notion that it’s all about money. In my study of this passage, I have found that not really to be the case.
The record of what happened here actually begins in chapter 4:
Acts 4:32-37 (ESV)
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Here we are told that there are a number of newly converted believers who had sold property to lay at the apostles feet, but, we see that a particular person is singled out, a man named Joseph. We are then told that the Apostles renamed this fellow Barnabas. Now, what do we know about Barnabas?
Acts 9:26-27 (ESV)
And when he (Paul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
It was Barnabas that insisted that the Apostles see that Paul was changed.
Acts 11:22 (ESV)
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they (the church leaders, i.e. the apostles) sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Barnabas is so trusted that he is sent on fact finding missions by the Apostles.
Acts 13:1-2 (ESV)
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Barnabas is teamed up with Paul by God to be sent to the Gentiles.
Acts 14:14a (ESV)
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it,…
Now he is named an Apostle! So we see that Barnabas became quite the VIP in the church. So, why was he singled out in this story? Answer: He is crucial to understanding what was about to happen with Ananias and Saphira.
Acts 5:1-2 (ESV)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.
The word “But” should have been a red flag all along! What we have here are landowners in the church, Ananias and Saphira. They watch as another landowner, Joseph/Barnabas, seemingly by virtue of his gift, is allowed into the inner circle of the apostles. I believe that what we have here is a wife, who wanted to advance in a social sense within the church, concocted this plan to buy her husband an apostleship. They probably figured that they now know what the price of an apostleship was, seeing what the price of Barnabas’ land was. I believe they gave exactly as much as Barnabas did. The goal here was not to rob God, per se. The goal was to advance in the social circles they were in. Saphira wanted to be an apostle’s wife, and Ananias probably had some ambition to be in the inner circle there in the church.
Why do I believe this as opposed to what is commonly taught? To show this we have to go to the actual end of the story. After both are buried we read this:
Acts 5:11-13 (ESV)
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
“None of the rest dared join them”. Now why would the writer say that? Who is “them”? It’s clear to me the writer is referring to “them” as the apostles. None of the rest – the people of the church - dared join the Apostles. How? In fellowship? No. None dared to join the inner circle without being beckoned by the Apostles themselves. You see, that’s what Ananias and Saphira were trying to do! They wanted to join them, be in the inner circle, just like Barnabas. They saw what happened with Barnabas and decided they could do it, too.
That is the offense that caused their death and the writer knows this and, in his writing, confirms that those in the church knew it as well.
I believe the whole story of Ananias and Saphira began with the desire of Saphira to be an Apostles’ wife. I am of the opinion the whole thing was her idea from the start. I can’t prove it, but, I’ve lived long enough to know human nature. I see things like this in today’s church, and the world, all the time.
So, how does this compare to Wendy Davis story? In short, she used her man to pay her debts, then ditched not only the man, but her children as well for her own personal gain. In other words, it was all about her. Nobody but her.
It’s just so … disgustingly human.
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