Lying to the Spirit

Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife’s knowledge ^vhe kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and ^wlaid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^xSatan filled your heart to lie ^yto the Holy Spirit and ^zto keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ 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 ^ato God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he ^bfell down and breathed his last. And ^cgreat fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and ^dwrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you¹ sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” ⁹ But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ^eto test ^fthe Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ And ^ggreat fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.