But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:1-6
Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, are classic examples of how not to be charitable.
In addition to that, however, their story provides helpful instruction regarding the “Person” and “Diety” of the Holy Spirit. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Apostles about their giving. But Peter rebuked them for lying to the Holy Spirit (v.3). Then in (v.4), he rebuked them for lying to God. What lessons about the Holy Spirit can we take away from this?
First, the Holy Spirit is a Person. He is not an impersonal force (as most cults believe and teach). He is a Person. People cannot lie to an impersonal force, but they can lie to a person. Let’s remember always to refer to the Holy Spirit as a Person—He, or Him—never “it”!
Second, the Holy Spirit is God. He is one of the three members of our Triune God: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. All three Persons are ONE God and each is 100% God. They share all of the attributes of God completely and perfectly.
The doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Denying the Trinity, or redefining the Trinity is a mark of those people and of certain groups who are not Christian—no matter how they may insist they are.
Bonus Question: Were Ananias and Sapphira saved, or lost? I don’t know and neither does anyone else. Their sin was great enough that God made an example of them by taking their lives. The example had an impact, as (v.5) records that “great fear came upon all who heard these things.” They may have been saved people who made a monumental error at the worst possible time. Or they may have not been believers at all. Let us be content that God knows. And let us be sure not follow in their footsteps!