DANGERS WITHIN THE FOLD
Unconverted.
But these leaders had to contend not only with enemies outside the Church but with the scheming, dishonest people who stole their way into the fold. There were men and women who had not repented of their sins before they were baptized; so they did not receive the Holy Ghost.
Two of these were Ananias and his wife Sapphira.
Everybody who joined the Church had everything in common. Those who had land and other property sold it and brought the money to the apostles. There were no rich and no poor—all had everything that anybody else had, and everyone possessed what belonged to all.
Two Deceivers.
Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession; but they brought only part of the money, and said it was all. Thus they told a falsehood, and showed themselves to be among the worst people in the world; for,
The Lie Detected.
"Who dares think one thing,
And another tell,
My soul detests him,
As the gates of hell."
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter detected the lie, and said to Ananias,
"Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"
"Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
A Severe Punishment.
"Thou hast not lied unto me, but unto God."
"And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost."
About three hours later, his wife came in, and told the same story as her husband. She, too, received a divine rebuke, and paid the penalty of her sin by giving up her life.
After that, no one dare try to deceive the apostles in giving gifts to the Church.
This is a good lesson for all to keep in mind today especially when paying tithing to the Lord.