Ananias and Sapphira

5 ¹There was a man named Ananias. His wife's name was Sapphira. Ananias sold some land that he had. ²But he gave only part of the money to the apostles.* He secretly kept some of the money for himself. His wife knew this, and she agreed with it. ³Peter said, "Ananias, why did you let Satan (the devil) rule your heart? You lied and tried to deceive (fool) the Holy Spirit.* You sold your field, but why did you keep part of the money for yourself? ⁴Before you sold the field, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this bad thing? You lied to God, not to us men!" ^5-6When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came and wrapped his body. They carried it out and buried it. And every person that heard about this was filled with fear. ⁷About three hours later his wife (Sapphira) came in. Sapphira did not know about this thing that had happened to her husband. ⁸Peter said to her, "Tell me how much money you got for your field. Was it this much (the amount Ananias had said)?" Sapphira answered, "Yes, that was all we got for the field." ⁹Peter said to her, "Why did you and your husband agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! Do you hear those footsteps? The men that buried your husband are at the door! They will carry you out in the same way." ¹⁰At that moment Sapphira fell down by his feet and died. The young men came in and saw that she was dead. The men carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹All the believers and all the other people that heard about these things were filled with fear.

Proofs from God

¹²The apostles* did many miracles* and powerful things. All the people saw these things. The apostles were together in Solomon's Porch*; they all had the same purpose. ¹³None of the other people felt worthy to stand with them. All the people were saying good things about the apostles. ¹⁴And more and more people believed in the Lord (Jesus)--many men and women were added to the group of believers. ¹⁵So the people brought their sick people into the streets. [The people heard that] Peter was coming by. So the people put their sick on little beds and mattresses. They thought that if the sick people could be close enough for Peter's shadow to touch them, it would be enough to heal them. ¹⁶People came from all the towns around Jerusalem. They brought their sick people and those that were bothered by evil spirits [from the devil]. All of these people were healed.

apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. miracle(s) Miracles are amazing works done by God's power. Solomon's Porch An area on the east side of the temple. It was covered by a roof.