Ananias and Sapphira

A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of property. Together they kept back some of the money. Sapphira knew about it. Ananias brought part of the price and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Peter said the property had been Ananias's to keep, and after it was sold, the money was still his to decide about. The sin was not simply keeping some back. Peter said Ananias had lied to the Holy Spirit, not merely to people.

When Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down and died. Great fear came on everyone who heard about it. Young men came, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.

About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked whether the land had been sold for a certain amount. She said yes. Peter said she and her husband had agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord.

Immediately Sapphira fell down at Peter's feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, and carried her out to bury her by her husband. Great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Why do you think this account made the church tremble?