Message Us!

God protects the church's purity through judgment on Ananias and Sapphira's hypocrisy while highlighting Barnabas as a model of genuine generosity. The early church demonstrates remarkable unity and authenticity that we're called to emulate today.

• The early church was at its purest form in Acts 1-4, with believers having "one heart and soul"
• Radical generosity flowed from treasuring Christ above possessions and seeing fellow believers as family
• Barnabas exemplifies genuine faith by selling property and giving all proceeds to support the community
• Ananias and Sapphira wanted "maximum glory with minimum sacrifice" through their deceptive giving
• Their sin wasn't keeping some money but pretending to be more generous than they were
• God's judgment wasn't just about two individuals but protecting the entire believing community
• Hypocrisy damages not just individuals but brings down families, coworkers, and seekers
• The church should be a place of transparency where people can be real while growing in holiness
• Modern believers face the same temptation to appear more spiritual than we truly are

Support the show