Embrace Authenticity

From After Easter by Scott Savage on Youversion

God hates hypocrisy. From the words of the prophets in the Old Testament to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, the Bible records strong rebukes of those who lack authenticity, especially in the context of faith.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

‭Acts 5:1-14 ESV‬

In my opinion, Acts 5 is the scariest passage in the book of Acts. The end of Acts 2 and Acts 4 describes a voluntary type of shared spending among the early church. People sold their possessions and property, bringing the proceeds to the Apostles to meet the needs of others.

In Acts 5, however, a couple named Ananias and Sapphira did a similar thing. They sold a parcel of land and brought money from the sale to the Apostles. While they said they brought the entire proceeds, they saved some for themselves.

At a time of powerful authenticity, they chose hypocrisy. After Barnabas was applauded for selling land and giving the proceeds to the apostles in Acts 4, Luke immediately records Ananias and Sapphira’s attempt to trick the Apostles. Similar to our approach to community, they wanted the outcome of sacrificial generosity without the process.

The scary part comes next. This couple comes in separately before the Apostles, but both experience the same thing. They lie to the Apostles. The Apostles confront them. They are struck dead by God in front of the Apostles. God rejected their hypocrisy because He knew the danger it posed to this fragile group of resurrection people.

Hypocrisy destroys our communities. The spiritual momentum recorded in Acts 1-4 could have been destroyed by Acts 5 by what Ananias and Sapphira did by lying. Most commentators believe this shocking event occurred to eradicate this behaviour and protect the early church.

So, what’s the lesson for us? If we are resurrection people, we must reject hypocrisy and embrace authenticity. What you do doesn’t just impact you.

This couple chose to use their freedom to destroy what God was doing.

They didn’t realize the impact their actions had on themselves and others.

The word “conviction” has gotten a bad rap in recent years. For some, this word and the Acts 5 story might feel uncomfortable.

But, I chose to close this plan with this passage because I wanted to remind you to be who God says you are. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul wrote

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

‭2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV‬

We are new creations – the old has gone; the new has come. In Acts 1, Jesus said we are His martyrs – His witnesses.

‬But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

‭Acts 1:8 ESV

When you choose to live as a resurrection person, you have a target on your back. You’re moving forward in obedience – you’re going to face resistance. Our enemy, Satan, does not want you to live as a new person. He wants to tempt you back into your old way of life when you did not expect resurrection.

Acts 5 tells us that a “great fear” fell over the early Church after Ananias and Saphira died. The people lived with humility, reverence, and awe for God. As they lived authentically with dependence on the Holy Spirit, God moved in power. People continued to put their trust in Jesus. Resurrection kept happening all around them.

If we’re going to live as resurrection people all year long…

If we’re going to be “Easter people in a Good Friday world”…

If we’re going to see Easter Sunday become bigger than one Sunday per year…

That journey starts today as we look to Jesus and expect Him to bring resurrection all around us. I’m on that journey. I’m excited you are now too!