In the early church the people had all things common by choice and by not compulsion. A couple by the name of Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and claimed to have given the full amount to the community of the early church. This was a lie as they had held back a portion of the price they had received for the property. While holding back the money was not a sin lying about it was. God hates hypocrisy and both Ananias and Sapphira fell dead at Peter’s feet. First was Ananias and then several hours later his wife Sapphira. Peter gave Sapphira the opportunity to be truthful, however, she continued the lie. Ananias and Sapphira did not lie to the early church, they lied to the Holy Spirit.
Were Ananias and Sapphira justified? Yes, however, when they appear before the Bema judgment seat they likely will have lost any rewards. I’ve read that if a person who has been justified strays greatly God will take that person out of this world prematurely. This prevents them from placing their salvation in jeopardy.
I had a conversation with a member of my extended family whose brother died of AIDS at a fairly early age. She said that both she and her brother had come to belief in Jesus at an early age. I shared the story of Ananias and Sapphira but I don’t know if it gave her any comfort.
As for the Holy Spirit, not to be taken lightly. Matthew 12:31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” Taken in the context of Matthew 12:30-33, not only will those who oppose Jesus will be scattered abroad, if their tree is corrupt, so will their fruit be.
James warns us in 5:12, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
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