Ananias And Sapphira Was Not Believers

Ac 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 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.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Ac 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

We see in the context of these scriptures that Ananias and Sapphira where not recorded as "believers" and because of the judgment made against them "no man" joined themselves to the "church", but "believers" were added to the Lord more and more. The very term a "certain" man implies a separation from what is the truth of the fellowship. Here is a truth of scripture that should bring comfort to believers, that God intends to defend the true fellowship. That has been perverted and twisted to suggest that God is acted contrary to His promise of mercy to those who believe.
 
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

It is not biblically possible for Ananias and Sapphira to have been in covenant with God, according to Christ.
 
Ac 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 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.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Ac 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

We see in the context of these scriptures that Ananias and Sapphira where not recorded as "believers" and because of the judgment made against them "no man" joined themselves to the "church", but "believers" were added to the Lord more and more. The very term a "certain" man implies a separation from what is the truth of the fellowship. Here is a truth of scripture that should bring comfort to believers, that God intends to defend the true fellowship. That has been perverted and twisted to suggest that God is acted contrary to His promise of mercy to those who believe.

So then it is your contention that they were religious church members but not saved church members?
 
So then it is your contention that they were religious church members but not saved church members?
I believe a clear reading in context shows that very thing, along with the absolute promises that have made to us "In Christ" It cannot be that these folks were in Covenant with God. To me this is an evident truth, but I have spent much time in prayerful consideration of these things and believe as the Holy Spirit bears witness with my conscience that I have the true understanding of these passages. I would also add that this example would apply to any and all, believers and non-believers that would come to the House of the Lord and attempt to play games with God. Its a clear warning and should be upheld as a clear warning, but God does not break the covenant we have in Christ, if in fact a "believer" is truly in that covenant?
 
Seems the church is filled with religious believers today... a real lesson to learn. These false people are able to cast out demons and prophecy... makes you wonder. (Mat 7 and Mat 25) It seems the devil is content to obey and help fulfill prophecy just to allow the ruse to continue and deceive. I think the worst thing is that they clearly do not know they are false, hence their surprise when the Lord said He never knew them. :(
 
Seems the church is filled with religious believers today... a real lesson to learn. These false people are able to cast out demons and prophecy... makes you wonder. (Mat 7 and Mat 25) It seems the devil is content to obey and help fulfill prophecy just to allow the ruse to continue and deceive. I think the worst thing is that they clearly do not know they are false, hence their surprise when the Lord said He never knew them. :(
Another reason why the True Power of God as wrought in the Holy Spirit needs to be restored in the "church" if The Judgment of God is restored into the heart of those who claim these religious titles, much of this deception would be manifest and reproved.
 
how the Ananias and Sapphira story relate to this other story:

note: it's a real question, not trying to point out something : )
....am reconciling my belief with Christian complacency and OSAS, I happen to believe in OSAS for info : )


1 Corinthians 5
English Standard Version (ESV)

Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church
5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.[a]
 
how the Ananias and Safira story relate to this other story,

note: it's a real question, not trying to point out something : )
....am reconciling my belief with Christian complacency and OSAS, I happen to believe in OSAS for info : )


1 Corinthians 5
English Standard Version (ESV)

Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church
5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.[a]
Of course we see in the next epistle to the Corinthians, that this same man was restored and given grace unto repentance.. (God upheld His Covenant of peace) The fact he was a believer and sealed in the Spirit, should also add context to this truth of scripture. I guess one could in a sincere seeking of the truth relate this passage to those of Ananias, but I believe the judgment made against them was very much of a different nature? I believe we can see in both a desire to protect the "Body" as a whole from the evil and corruption that is in the world. Again I suggest that these are clear and evident warnings that should be upheld, but should not bring a spirit of bondage again to fear, as they have been used by certain unlearned and unstable teachers of religion.
 
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Of course we see in the next epistle to the Corinthians, that this same man was restored and given grace unto repentance (God upheld His Covenant of peace).. The fact he was a believer and sealed in the Spirit would also add context to this truth of scripture. I guess one could in a sincere seeking of the truth relate this passage to those of Ananias, but I believe the judgment made against them was very much of a different nature? I believe we can see in both a desire to protect the "Body" as a whole from the evil and corruption that is in the world. Again I suggest that these are clear and evident warnings that should be upheld, but should not bring a spirit of bondage again to fear, as they have been used by certain unlearned and unstable teachers of religion.
I would also add that the covenant we have, is based upon the grace of God. The flesh is a manifest element of the pride of satan working in man. When a believer walks in the flesh they have separated themselves from the Grace of God which is the Spirit. Now the purpose of bringing judgment against the flesh, is to bring that believer back into the Spirit and the grace of God. The Covenant is not in the flesh but in the Spirit. The covenant works according to grace which Gods gives to the humble. When we walk in pride, we separate ourselves from the covenant of peace, based upon grace. The mystery of godliness is great and its hard to help religious folks see the difference between flesh and spirit.
 
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I would also add that the covenant we have, is based upon the grace of God. The flesh is a manifest element of the pride of satan working in man. When a believer walks in the flesh they have separated themselves from the Grace of God which is the Spirit. Now the purpose of bringing judgment against the flesh, is to bring that believer back into the Spirit and the grace of God. The Covenant is not in the flesh but in the Spirit. The covenant works according to grace which Gods gives to the humble. When we walk in pride, we separate ourselves from the covenant of peace, based upon grace. The mystery of godliness is great and its hard to help religious folks see the difference between flesh and spirit.
Because most religious folks have been taught to attempt to justify the flesh through religious works and have not been taught to have no confidence in the flesh as the scriptures clearly teach.
 
I believe a clear reading in context shows that very thing, along with the absolute promises that have made to us "In Christ" It cannot be that these folks were in Covenant with God. To me this is an evident truth, but I have spent much time in prayerful consideration of these things and believe as the Holy Spirit bears witness with my conscience that I have the true understanding of these passages. I would also add that this example would apply to any and all, believers and non-believers that would come to the House of the Lord and attempt to play games with God. Its a clear warning and should be upheld as a clear warning, but God does not break the covenant we have in Christ, if in fact a "believer" is truly in that covenant?

I agree! IMO the greatest missionary field in the world today is the congregation of the CHURCH.
 
Seems the church is filled with religious believers today... a real lesson to learn. These false people are able to cast out demons and prophecy... makes you wonder. (Mat 7 and Mat 25) It seems the devil is content to obey and help fulfill prophecy just to allow the ruse to continue and deceive. I think the worst thing is that they clearly do not know they are false, hence their surprise when the Lord said He never knew them. :(

I agree totally. I would only suggest that these people are "religious" not believers. Then to counter their inability to grasp the grace of God and salvation they work at DOING THINGS such as miracles, tongues, casting out demons so as to give the impression of being a super duper Christian when in fact they will be the ones Jesus will say to.........."Depart from me ye workers of...........
 
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