The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-01-21
Sunday School Notes

Jan. rs. Ananias and Sapphire. Acts
| 5, Ill.
l Our lesson scene is still at Jerusalem
! in the days not long after the departure
OF Jesus. and the great day of Pente-
cost. There was great enthusiasm
among the early converts, a feeling of
brotherly love and helpfulness, which
gave expression in a desire to help each
other, both spiritually and financially
Some had come from distant lands and
were atIJerusalem on expense. Many
were rich in money and lands. Such
was the good fellowship felt that there
was desire to help one another SO that
none would feel the pangs of poverty
and the need to turn attention to liv-
ing earning, when the time could be, for
now, so well spent in hearing about the
new gospel which Peter and John were
ready to set forth. 1t is not surprising
that the new converts had desire to
have their good in common. 1t would
appear that some sold their landed prop
erty and turned the proceeds to the
common treasury. The funds We're TAX
en- to the apostles for right distribution.
1t seems sad indeed there must be
recorded, that into fthe hearts of some
there came a desire to receive common
dation for being more generous and de-
voted than the facts of the case bore
ness came to the front and our lesson
this week tells about it. 1t appears
that two persons, a man and wife, Ana
Mas and Sapphire, made the plan to
sell their property and turn in to Peter
for the common treasury a smaller
amount than the true bill of sale called
for. The husband came before Peter
with the amount he and his wife had
decided to say was the sale price Peter
either by information from others or
supernaturally knew about the action
of the guilty pair. In words which cut
Ananias to the quick, Peter reproached
him for letting Satan fill his heart to,
thus deceive. ", Hetwas told that the at 1
fair was all free will offering gand he
need not give anything unless he want
ed to. He was charged with trying to
lie to God. The effect Of the words of
Peter on the guilty heart and brain of
Ananias crushed him down and he fell
dead and was carried away, for burial
Later the wife came and she told the
same STORY as did her husband as to
the sale of the property. Peter again
explained that the sin was not to men
but to God and said that she too, would
die at once for her wrong doing, and
she did
The punishment given these guilty
people was just and needed. If such
ueCeptlOu Iletu DeeH passed over Dy
Peter the spread of the gospel would
have stopped, and it would have be-
come a laughing stock for the enemies
of the new religion. While the bible
record shows that God was forgiving to
the penitent, there are a host of in
stances when quick, stern punishment
followed sin. The man who touched |
the sacred ark fell dead; David with all
his record of goodness didn't escape |
Saul was taken from his |
throne for disobeying God: the makers
of the golden calf died by the thous=z
ands; The man who s9creted the gold |
and rich clothing just after the fall Or
Jericho was hunted out and publicly .
dealt with. This list can be fenarged '
but enough is sgid, to show thafr Gias the
a aEs Rssen bies FL Iasre a5 5e abd
thss lilrnitt5of 3penaltysgiyen; III i'll,
y The Bible Says it i1iay Seem that God
is slack now in such matters, as men
may think it, but that He will in due