Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-08
natiL.--
Subject: The Sin of Lying. Acts w.. -, y. II
-Goldea Text. Eph. w.. Is Memory
Verses. 3.5 Commentary OIL
the Days les on.

| toned IN verse 4, and probably many otn-
ers, who had been converted by the minis
| try of the other apostles since that time
| "0f one heart" Though of different ages,
dispositions and conditions before they be-
| heved, and perfect strangers to one an
| other. yet when they met in Christ they
were intimately acquainted. Neither said
any OF them" There was not dissenting
member. No such thing as discord existed
among them. "All things common" There
existed such confidence in each other.
| 80. with great power. With no diff
/ culties among themselves to absorb any OF
their time, the apostles Were encouraged
| by a spiritual. praying church, to preach
with great vigor. spirit and courage Wit
ness" The apostles were witnesses to what
they had seen and heard. This is most
| effective way of preaching. "Of the resur-
rection." All knew of the death and bur
ial of Jesus. But the enemies OF Jesus,
the Jews. would not believe in the resur-
rection OF Jesus.
"a. That lacked" This was one rea.
son for their favor among men. for all
could see the self-sacriticing spirit that
actuatc1 them. sold them 1t seems
clear that all the owners OF real estate
! who belonged TO the church sold property.
here expressly avoids saving that these
F, men sold all they had. They sold some
| things. and tine sum realized from what
was sold was offered to the common store.
-. AT the apostles feet To be dis
posed OF as they should direct They would
be better able TO determine where there
| was need. Having relief fund the apoS-
; ties could draw upon it without making
every case public.
| SO. "Joses" Or Joseph He is the we'll
| known Barnabas. who is afterward fire.
! qucntly mentioned an associate nj the
| apostle Paul. That he was Leyite Is a
/ remarkable circumstance: we are soon al
I
! heved. Chap. d: Z. The surname OF Bar
! nabas, which the apostles gave him. al,
| luded. without doubt to an extraordinary
gift of the Spirit which was manifested in
his addresses and exhortations. "Of Cy-
| prus' An island in the Mediterranean
| Sea. not very far distant from the Jewish
coast. The jews were very numerous i'll
81. Having land sold it, He COM
forted by his gifts as we'll as his words"
He certainly proved his sincerity.
]. But The little word but" is the
hinge on which great issues turn. ANA
Mas" The meaning OF the word Is ''Fa-
cious.' Sapphire Beautiful" Their
characters were in sharp contrast with
their names. Here is n contrast between
| the honest liheralitv of Barnabas and the
hypocrisy OF Ananias and his wife. Pro-
fessors of the gospel, but certainly not true
| believers for all that truly believed were
of one heart and of one soul
| 3 Kept back part OF the price While
| they pretended to make an offering of all.
| This was hypocrisy. and was called lie.
| His wife. This sin was premeditated by
| both parties. They had not set their affections
on the land. hut the money exercised such
an influence on them that they could not
| resolve to resign the whole. and hence
/ they retained part. They were unwilling
10 acknowledge this circumstance pub
licly.
3. Filled thine heart" Satan. the
| father of lies. a liar from the beginning.
/ Peter traces the sin back to its source
the heart into which Satan had been adj
| mitted; his question recognizes Ananias
| power to resist these evil influences. Satan
lie to the Holy Ghost" The apostles dis
claim any power in themselves. Ii is
Christ who works the miracles; the God
of Abraham who gives the power of heal.
| ing. and the Holy Spirit who Is grievcd
by sins ike that OF Ananas.
it without incurrinG the displeasure of the
apostles or the Lord. In thine own pow
| err" These questions show that the be-
stowment OF goods was perfectly Noun-
tary and not a law. and that the crime was
free and deliberate act. Ananias was
not censured because he had not surreu-
dered his entire property. hut Tor false
| hood in processing to have done when
he had not Unto God" The oficnSe
was chiefly against God David takes this
same view OF his sin in Psa. 81 6. But this
| is an important text to prove the person
atty of the Holy Ghost. Peter uses the
terms God and the Holy Ghost ". - IN
terchanceably. which shows that the Holy
| Ghost Is not merely an emanation from
| God, but lie Is God Himself.
:. Gave up the ghost" The immediate
fall and death of Ananias when Peter had
l. 1. Il, -
act OF God. Great fear came This ct-
feet on the Christian community is thought
10 be the chief design of so startling
judgment.
6. Young men The earliest church
was not without young men and young
women. Acts II: H.. Carried him out
just beyond the walls of the city. That
the body was not taken to his home is in
dicated by his wifes ignorance OF what
had occurred Buried" In a hot eli
mate, like that OF Palestine. burial had to
take place at once, and the graves leaves
with niches) were always open.
Z. After three hours: Probably at the
next hour of prayer. Under the shock OF
the death OF Ananias they had not dis
persed.
s. Tell me-" The question was Sap
phira's place for repentance: the Holy
Spirit strove with her in Peters words
but she resisted his strivings. so much"
lying where Ananias had placed it. V. .
YEA" 1t had been in her power 10 save
her husband by word of warning pro-
test; it was now in her power to clear her
own conscience by confession.
.. Agreed" Sapphira's answer proved
to Peter that their sin had feen premcdi-
tated, and not one of haste or ignorance
She was equal in the sin with her husband
Peters question gave the first knowledge
to Sapphira that their guilt was discoy-
cred, but her answer was given. TO
tempt" To test. or try the Spirit Of the
Lord by attempting TO deceive Him, but
God is not mocked' or deluded
10. "Fell-yelded. II was not through
Peters words. nor his prayers nor through
shame. nor through remorse that this gull
ty pair died, but an immediate judgment
OF God.
IL. "Great fear This judgment an
swered the end for which it was inflicted
deeply religious fear occupied every
mind. and hypocrisy and deception were
banished from this holy assembly.