By Mark W. Christy, PhD
(Note: This article has been written only to communicate the possibility that Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians. Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.)
Luke, in Acts 2:37-47, presents the first church as a utopia devoted to the love of God and each other, so much so that members “began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” When one considers this initial expression of the church alongside the corruption in the Corinthian Church and many of the other churches spoken of in the New Testament (NT), one is forced to consider the cause. Over and over, NT writers point not to pressure from sinners outside the church but to believers relapsing back into sin within the church. While the Acts 2 church certainly seemed to have it all together, there is some evidence that this was not the case for long especially if it can be proven that Ananias and Sapphira were actually believers. To consider this further, this article will offer some argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were actually saved.
Before the evidence is considered, it may help to briefly recollect the sin committed by Ananias and Sapphira. As mentioned previously, the first church in Acts had members who willingly and sacrificially sold their possessions so as to support others in the church even though no one was mandated to do so. Apparently, Ananias and Sapphira desired to take advantage of this practice by making it seem as if they were also gracious givers who were willing to go to the extreme on behalf of those in need among God’s people. To this end, they “sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price” while giving the rest to the Apostles (Acts 5:1-2).[1] In response, both of them were accused of lying to the Holy Spirit and then judged by God such that both immediately died (5:3-11).
Given the particularly heinous nature of their sin and their brazen attempt to cover it up even under the cross examination of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira are often considered to be the first interlopers to have pretentiously associated themselves with the Church. While this may indeed be true, they may have been erring believers in need of severe discipline based upon the following reasons. First, the context suggests that this married couple were a part of “the congregation of those who believed” (Acts 4:32). At no point does Luke represent them as being those outside the Church; rather, they are seemingly portrayed as those being under the authority of the Apostles to the extent that Peter himself pronounces judgment over them.
Second, Ananias and Sapphira are charged with lying to the Holy Spirit and putting Him to the test (5:3, 9). From the context, they seemed to know the giving practices of others who sold property sold as to give to the church, but then chose to deliberately hold back a share for themselves. By committing this sinful deception in their relationship with believers, they by extension deceived the Holy Spirit. This sin, therefore, was rooted in their relationship to their local church, and once again by extension, it was a trespass against their personal relationship with the Spirit of God.
Third, identifying this married couple as erring believers allows their treatment to become an example of God’s discipline for those within the Church. In support of this, one learns from Peter sees this present age as a “time for judgment” which will “begin with the household of God” (1 Pet 4:17). In Acts, Ananias and Sapphira’s sinful actions were performed within the context of their relationship to the Church. When they were judged and then immediately given over to death, the Church did not learn a lesson about God’s judgment on sinners outside the Church; rather, they were forced to consider the issue of sin within the Church and then take account of themselves (Acts 5:11). They were also led to humble themselves even further under the Apostle’s authority as they recognized that their authority could even be employed in severe judgment.
Fourth, the presumed inclusion of Ananias and Sapphira in the Acts 2 Church offers strong proof that they were indeed saved. To see this, one must consider the case of Simon the magician. According to Luke, he “believed Philip” when he was “preaching the good news,” and then received baptism (8:12-13). Later, when Peter and John arrived, they refused to bestow upon him the Holy Spirit “through the laying on of [their] hands” for Simon remained unredeemed (8:17-23). Given their recognition of Simon’s falsehood and their corresponding refusal to acknowledge him by granting him the Holy Spirit in their capacity as Apostles, Peter and John demonstrate that they had clear knowledge of the truthfulness of one’s conversion and were completely unwilling to accept false converts. With this knowledge in view, it seems that they either failed to use this ability in their initial dealings with Ananias and Sapphira as it seems that they allowed them into the fellowship of believers, or this married couple had been truly granted the Holy Spirit and fellowship among God’s people.
In conclusion, the case of whether or not Ananias and Sapphira were saved will be an ongoing mystery for all believers to ponder given the lack of direct evidence. Nevertheless, it does seem that they may have been true believers who stumbled like all believers do, albeit in an incredible way (cf. James 3:2). Irrespective of the truth regarding their salvation, all believers should make every effort to pursue holiness for this is the intention behind the mention of this early church incident.
[1]All Scripture references are taken from NASB1995.