Video Discussion Q+A

1) Because the Holy Spirit now lives inside believers in Jesus, how does Luke tell us how they treat one another?

He says that everything they own they now are ready to give to supply any needs their fellow believers in Jesus would have. They have one heart and one soul together. This is what the Holy Spirit does; he brings people together for the same purpose and mission.

2) What example does Luke tell us about?

He tells us about Barnabas and how he sold a field and brought the money to the disciples to do whatever they thought would be best with it. He brings it with truthfulness and sincerity in his heart. This is pure worship to the Lord.

3) Who does Luke compare Barnabas to? What does this person do that is different from Barnabas?

Luke tells us about Ananias and Sapphira. He says that Ananias also sold a piece of land to bring money and give it to the apostles. The big difference here is that Ananias lies about how much he sold the field for. If he was honest, he would have not been in sin, but because of his deceit and hypocrisy, he was guilty of lying to the Holy Spirit, lying to God himself.

4) What was the punishment for Ananias and Sapphira?

They both immediately fell dead at the feet of the apostles; first Ananias, and then his wife 3 hours later. They both agreed to lie about what they had done and wanted to be recognized as making a large sacrifice but in reality did not.

5) What does the punishment for Ananias and Sapphira teach us about the Church and about God?

God cares about the holiness of his church. He cares about its purity. This story shows us that those who live in a way that is different than being filled with the Spirit are liable to judgment (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). God’s holiness is a serious thing, and God doesn’t take lightly the people who say that they are with him, but deny that they know him by the way they live. To be the temple of God where the Holy Spirit lives is a serious thing (2 Cor 7:1). Let’s live with confidence in God’s love for us and also with a seriousness knowing that he is with us and in us.

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