Week Fifteen-Day Two: End of Day

We end today with a look at a frightening account from the book of Acts.

Acts 5

¹ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 

I have underlined the pertinent phrases. Set aside for a second how challenging and unsettling this story is and notice the implications of what Peter says. In an almost off-handed way, he equates the Holy Spirit with God.

Theologian Wayne Grudem summarizes like this:

“In one sense the doctrine of the Trinity is a myserty that we will never be able to understand fully. However, we can understand something of its truth by summarizing the teaching of Scripture in three statements:

1. God is three persons.
2. Each person is fully God.
3. There is one God.”

The Holy Spirit is fully God. We will talk about how He works tomorrow.

1. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit as fully God in your prayer tonight.
2. Thank Him for working in you.
3. Lights out!