Luke the physician wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God”, and in chapter five and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost” where we read:
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost:
and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
The verse begins, “And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost:”. Luke began with the words, “And Ananias” which means “and Ananias whose name means whom Jehovah has graciously given and was a certain Christian at Jerusalem and the husband of Sapphira” “hearing these words” or “being endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding and discerning the words of Peter” “fell down” which means “descended from an erect to a prostrate position”, “and gave up the ghost” or “and expired, breathed out his last and died”. Luke shared after “Ananias” heard the words spoken by “Peter” fell to the floor and died.
The verse goes on to say, “and great fear came on all them that heard these things.” Luke continued with the words, “and great fear” which means “and massive, numerous and abundant dread, terror and reverence” “came on all them” or “arose and appeared upon each, every, the whole and everyone” “that heard these things” which means “who was endowed with hearing, perceiving, understanding and discerning Peter's words and the subsequent death of Ananias”. Luke shared how “everyone” was in reverence to God because of the words “Peter” spoke and the result of “Ananias” dying afterward.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Ananias” made a fatal mistake when he attempted to “deceive” the Holy Spirit. After “hearing” what “Peter” said to him, “Ananias” fell to the ground and died. This was not God's plan for the church. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who surrender their lives to Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will carefully examine what happened to “Ananias” and never make his fatal mistake.
Next time Luke shares how, “the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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