The early Church did not expand primarily through an emphasis on speaking in tongues, which many believers focus on today. Instead, growth came through the presence and prominence of the Holy Ghost in the lives of the apostles. Peter possessed the gift of revelation, enabling him to detect that Satan had filled Ananias’ heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. After the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, there were no complaints from relatives or friends, nor any murmuring, accusation, or argument from the other apostles, because they recognized that Peter was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Although this was the first instance of such a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, no one attempted to challenge Peter. The Church was under a great revival fire and freshness of the Holy Ghost, making the people submissive to the acts of the Spirit.
Effective Leadership Through the Spirit
Leadership becomes highly effective when it is conducted by the Spirit and leaders are rooted in Scripture. If those who counsel, teach, instruct, and lead others have the gift of revelation, the work becomes easier and better; the church becomes purer, and members become more conscious of God’s presence. Ananias and Sapphira agreed to sell a possession and bring only a certain part of the money, laying it at the apostles’ feet. Giving only part of the proceeds was not the problem; the issue was their decision to present it as the total proceeds of the transaction in order to receive applause. This kind of giving is deceptive and sinful before God.
The Call to Sincere Giving
The Lord Jesus Christ commands us to avoid giving in a manner intended to attract attention. When we give alms, it should be done privately as unto the Lord. Additionally, ministers of God should not doubt their gift of revelation or be intimidated by audacious liars who forcefully deny the truth even when confronted. Ananias did not realize that Peter was a man indwelt by the Holy Spirit; otherwise, he would have known that he had not lied unto men, but unto God. Today, we do not demonstrate love through communal distribution by selling our property, as it is not a doctrine. It was a temporary practice located in Jerusalem, which was not exported to Judea, Samaria, or even Antioch and other parts of the world where the gospel was taken. Moreover, the Church did not continue this practice in Jerusalem over time. Instead, believers in other territories sent relief to Jerusalem, especially during the global famine.
The Context of Early Church Giving
The reason for this obsolete practice was that many people came from the Jewish diaspora for the Feast of Pentecost and did not prepare to stay in Jerusalem. However, as God poured out the Holy Ghost on believers during that feast, many visitors received the Lord and decided to stay in Jerusalem. All that believed were together and had all things common. Maintaining them became the need of the hour for the early church, birthing the distribution method of selling their possessions and goods and parting them to all men as every man had need. God does not say we cannot enjoy what we have; but the charge to us is to give voluntarily and cheerfully, as the Spirit leads.
Lessons from Ananias and Sapphira
Ananias and Sapphira, in a hollow and subtle act, sought to emulate other generous disciples like Barnabas, just for the show of it, and to attract the apostles’ special recognition. People who do such things today follow the footsteps of the Pharisees, who loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Our evangelism, prayers, almsgiving, and the things we do to make the lives of other people better should be out of love from the depth of our hearts, without expecting praise from men. When the Spirit of God abides in us, He acts as a lie-detector. He does not go to sleep or need any physical demonstration to wake up. If the Spirit of God is resident and alive in you, He will reveal to you the secrets in the hearts of men.
The Gift of Revelation
When Gehazi lied about the things he took from Naaman the Syrian, Prophet Elisha, his master, exposed him through the gift of revelation. There are nine gifts of the Spirit, which include the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, and the discernment of spirits, among others. These combine to help apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to edify the body of Christ.
Further reading (King James Version): Acts 5:3,4,8,9,11-14; Acts 5:1-4; Acts 4:32-37; 2:44-46; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Acts 5:1,2; John 12:43; Matthew 23:5,6; Acts 5:3,4; 2 Kings 5:20-27; Luke 16:15; Acts 5:3,4,8,9; Acts 5:5,6; Ecclesiastes 11:3; Revelation 22:11-15; Acts 5:3,8,9; Ephesians 4:27; 2 Corinthians 2:11-15; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 21:8,27; 22:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Acts 5:3,9; Psalm 50:18,19,22; Proverbs 19:5,9; Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:15-19; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; Acts 5:11-14; Ephesians 4:11-13; John 17:21-23.
