Acts 5:1-16, The sin of deceiving the Holy Spirit, and Spirit-empowered ministry
Acts 5:1-16, The sin of deceiving the Holy Spirit, and Spirit-empowered ministry Today's Scripture Summary Ananias and Sapphira hide part of the price of the land and pay only part of it to the apostles. Peter rebukes Ananias, saying that his heart is full of Satan, that he has deceived the Holy Spirit, and that he has lied to God. Ananias dies on the spot, and so does his wife, who has also spoken lies. The whole church is afraid because of this. 1. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11) The early church has been revitalized by the devoted service and love of the saints. Then a frightening event occurs. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of land that belonged to them, hid some of the money and laid some at the apostles' feet. The couple conspired with each other and thought the apostles wouldn't know. Peter rebukes Ananias for deceiving the Holy Spirit because 'Satan is in your heart' (v. 3). Their lies were not just a personal sin: they did not deceive people, bu