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Because of their consecration to God, the members of the community experienced a deep bonding of their lives together (4:32). They were one in heart and mind; their commitment manifested itself in a stewardship that enabled them to be God’s help to others (vv.34-37). There was a radical new perspective toward possessions. No longer were they possessed by their possessions. They had experienced a liberation that enabled them to offer their possessions for the welfare of others. Such radical behavior presented to the world another confirmation for the reality of the apostles' proclamation of the Resurrection (v.33). The power of the Resurrection was seen in the transformed living of the Christian community. What great need there is in every age for the community of Christ to incarnate the proclamation of its message.
Such incarnation, however, is not achieved easily, as the case of Ananias and Sapphira reveals (5:1-11). Even in a community that had experienced such fullness of God’s presence and power, there were persons who, in their compulsive care for themselves, sought refuge in the semblance of participation without the sacrifice. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to appear as fully participating members of the community, but they also wanted to maintain some vestige of control over their own welfare rather than entrust themselves completely to God.
The community, through Peter, discerns their lack of integrity, and the discipline is immediate and radical. How different from the church today, which so often compromises with attitudes and actions that are contrary to the Spirit-filled life. No wonder, then, that the world is little moved by the church’s pronouncements.
There must have been such an awareness of the presence and power of God in the life of the community that Ananias and Sapphira were already guilt-ridden and highly stressed as they attempted their deceit. The shock of discovery and the realization of having manipulated God overstressed them and they died.
If they had not realized it before, the Christian community now knew it was participating in a reality of ultimate significance. No playing of religious games here! Those outside the community who may have dismissed it simply as a new sect or passing fad now realized that something serious was going on.