In this lesson, students learn that some may confess what they do not believe. Only God knows what anyone believes.
Devotion
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Was it not yours before it was sold? And after it was sold, was not the money at your disposal? How could you plan such a thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
In today's lesson we learn about hypocrites. Jesus called many people hypocrites and they were. Jesus could look in their hearts and see they didn't believe in God, they only SAID they believed in Him. It is common in our day for people in the world to say the church is full of hypocrites. But what they are talking about is that they see Christians who fall into sins. That's not a hypocrite, that's a person in need of a Savior. Churches aren't museums of saints, they are hospitals for sinners. We all sin. That doesn't make us hypocrites.
Ananias and Sapphira, the hypocrites of today's lesson were known by God. He told Peter about their sin. So Peter knew they were hypocrites only because of God's message to him. There are hypocrites in our churches today. God knows the truth about them, and He will judge them.
Sometimes we will think we are hypocrites because we fall into sin. The apostle Paul, when looking at his sins said, "O wretched man that I am." He believed in Jesus as his Savior, so he wasn't a hypocrite. He continued "Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord." We like him can turn to Jesus, which means Savior, the Christ, which means the Anointed One, our Lord, which means sovereign ruler, and find our forgiveness of sins in His mercy, and the gift of eternal life in His grace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2_BYNC5-1M Pretty gory. Might not be suitable for younger students.
The Death of Ananias, by Raphael
32 The whole group of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common. 33 The apostles continued to testify about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ[g] with great power, and abundant grace was on all of them. 34 There was not a needy person among them. For from time to time those who were owners of lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds received from what was sold, 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet. It was distributed to each one according to what anyone needed.
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s knowledge, he kept back part of the proceeds for himself. Then he brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Was it not yours before it was sold? And after it was sold, was not the money at your disposal? How could you plan such a thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Great fear gripped everyone who heard about it. 6 The young men got up and wrapped up his body. Then they carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this how much you got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How could you two agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are standing at the door, and they will carry you out too!”
10 Instantly she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in, they found her dead. Then they carried her outside and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things.
Questions.
Christ and the Canaanite Woman (1594-1595) by Annibale Carracci