The Wide and Narrow Gates

This week, we pick up where we left off in Acts in 2024. Last year, we saw how the early church had everything in common. They sold their possessions and laid them at the apostle’s feet. They were sold out for Christ. Now we read the tragedy that is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They saw what was happening in the church and they wanted in. To get in, they have to choose from two gates. One leads to life, and the other to death. Here we see what happens when we take the wide gate.

Scripture

Acts 5:1-11 ESV But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,  (2)  and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part 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 for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.  (6)  The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.  (7)  After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  (8)  And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”  (9)  But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  (10)  Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  (11)  And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Bible Study Questions

The attempted buy-in

Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of their property and laid it at the apostle’s feet. Why did they do this - what do you think they were trying to achieve?

Acts 5:2 ESV and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 

Acts 4:32-33 ESV Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.  (33)  And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

Offer denied

Unfortunately, the offering Ananias and Sapphira made was rejected. In fact, it caused their death. What was their sin?

Acts 5:3-5 ESV But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Exodus 20:16 ESV “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Proverbs 12:22 ESV Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Pleasing man

At the end of the day, Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to God. They were trying to please man and ended up angering God. In what ways are we trying to please men, instead of God in our Christian journey?

Acts 5:3-5 ESV But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Galatians 1:10 ESV For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Romans 12:2 ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The wide gate

Ananias and Sapphira wanted in, but weren’t prepared to do what is required to join the early church. Jesus calls this the wide way. What are some elements of the wide way, and how are they at work in our lives and our church?

Acts 5:3-5 ESV But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  (14)  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

The narrow gate

The correct path to take to be right with God is the narrow gate. What does it mean to enter the narrow gate? How could Ananias have entered through the narrow gate, as opposed to the wide gate?

Acts 5:3-5 ESV But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  (14)  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Mark 1:15 ESV And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

James 1:22-27 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  (23)  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  (24)  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  (25)  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  (26)  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.  (27)  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Did the punishment fit the crime?

Ananias and Sapphira lied to God and grieved the Holy Spirit. But the punishment still seems a little harsh, doesn’t it? Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira had to die?

Acts 5:3-5 ESV But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  (4)  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”  (5)  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Exodus 19:21 ESV And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish.

Heb 12:29 ESV for our God is a consuming fire.

1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

What must we do?

Ananias and Sapphira lied to God. They underestimated Him. They tried to please man rather than God. What can we learn from their mistakes and apply to our lives today?

Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 John 3:17 ESV But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Colossians 3:5 ESV Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Philippians 4:8-9 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.