Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 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. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Peter a man of God who stood up to the deception in his day and the holy spirit layed dead those that lied to the Holy Spirit!
It has been crossing my mind what relevance this has to this day, an age in which there is so much deception.
How many People have lied to God in church services and even ourselves.
Do we need this fear again?
An example after that was Athenius [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius]Athenius
who fought for the doctrine of the Trinity against the views of Arius.
This story of Peter and Athenius typfies that deception in itself can be destroyed and we do not have to put up with it.
If peter for one moment let the part truth of Ananias dealings behind his back, Peter would not be Peter.
This is not the only false person to be carried out dead in the book of Jeremiah.
Jer 20:6 - Show Context
And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity. You shall go to Babylon, and there you shall die, and be buried there, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied lies.' "
This is what it says about false prophets!
Jer 14:14 - Show Context
And the Lord said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.
La 2:14 - Show Context
Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.
Eze 22:28 - Show Context
Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord God,' when the Lord had not spoken.
If these people knew how the Lord of Glory how he sees deception and lies in his Name.
If our god is the same yesterday, today and forever and we have people lying about the Holy Spirit left right and centre.
Is not the same response from God justified!
I have been mulling this story over in my head the story mainly of Peter and Anianas and Sappira!
Concerning the many deceptions that Plague our land and our world, gods grace for even our lies.
He is the only one who has absolute right to deal with these situations.
When Jesus returns these men will look such fools placating men for mere gain or power.
My question is there still any Peters to yet stand up to any Sapphira's or any Pauls to stand up to any Peters so that deceptions can lie dead and the Holy Spirit cannot be lied to!
