The Danger of being the Temple • Ananias and Sapphira | What Holiness Looks Like | Messianic Church

Introduction: Becoming God’s Dwelling Place

In this teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, the concept of believers forming the temple of God is explored, drawing parallels between the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple and the New Testament understanding of the church and individual Christians as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The speaker, likely Matthew Vander Els, emphasizes that this transformation brings both incredible privilege and serious responsibility. Just as the Old Testament had boundaries and protocols surrounding God’s presence, so too should the community of believers and individual lives reflect the sacredness of the indwelling Spirit.

Old Testament Context: Boundaries and Holiness

The teaching begins by referencing the boundaries God set for Israel in the Torah, distinguishing them from other nations as clean and unclean, holy and profane. These boundaries, such as dietary laws and rituals related to uncleanness, served to set them apart and honor God, even if many of these practices were initially tied to the physical Tabernacle. The state of being unclean, while not a sin, restricted one’s access to God’s presence in the Tabernacle. Examples of what could cause uncleanness included childbirth, bodily discharges, certain diseases like leprosy, and contact with dead bodies.

However, over time, these practices risked becoming mere identity markers and a checklist for demonstrating righteousness, particularly after the Babylonian exile and the Maccabean Revolt. Yeshua (Jesus) strongly criticized the Pharisees for this outward display of holiness used to judge others and elevate themselves, neglecting the inner transformation of the heart. He likened them to whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. Turning faith into a checklist to manipulate God’s favor is a form of idolatry rooted in pride and judgment.

Traditions, while generally fostering reverence, can become problematic when they are added to God’s commands as a means to judge others rather than to deepen devotion. Yeshua challenged the Pharisees for prioritizing their traditions over God’s direct commandments, as seen in the example of handwashing versus honoring parents. True defilement comes not from outward actions like eating with unwashed hands, but from the evil thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The New Testament Shift: The Temple Within

The teaching highlights a significant transition in the understanding of God’s dwelling place. Just as God’s presence moved from Mount Sinai to the Tabernacle, then to the Temple, the New Testament reveals that believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yeshua spoke of destroying the temple and raising it in three days, referring to his own body. This signifies a shift where God’s presence is no longer confined to a physical building but resides within his people.

Paul in Ephesians 2:20-22 describes believers as being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, forming a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 2:5, calling believers living stones being built into a spiritual house. The profound statement in 1 Corinthians 6:19 declares, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” This emphasizes the sacredness of individual believers as God’s dwelling place.

This indwelling of the Holy Spirit, mirroring the events of Yeshua’s baptism and the Pentecost, empowers believers and leads to the formation of a new community characterized by generosity, selflessness, passion for God, and love. Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts intentionally parallel Yeshua’s ministry with that of his followers, demonstrating the continuation of God’s work through them.

The Story of Ananias and Sapphira: A Stern Warning

The narrative then turns to the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, a pivotal story illustrating the seriousness of participating in this new community of God. In the early church, believers shared their possessions, and Barnabas is presented as a positive example of this generosity. However, Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property but secretly kept back part of the money while pretending to donate the full amount. Peter confronts Ananias, stating that he has not lied to humans but to God, because Satan filled his heart. Ananias falls down and dies, and when Sapphira later confirms the lie, she also suffers the same fate.

This seemingly harsh judgment underscores the seriousness of hypocrisy and deception within the community of believers who are now the temple of God. They were not required to sell their land or give all the money, but their lie represented a partial commitment and a devaluation of the Holy Spirit’s presence within the community. Just as Nadab and Abihu in the Old Testament faced divine judgment for offering unauthorized fire in God’s presence, Ananias and Sapphira faced consequences for their disrespect within the new temple – the community of believers. Their sin was bringing idolatry of self-seeking agendas into a place meant for selfless pursuit.

Application for Everyday Life: Living as the Temple

• Examine Your Heart: Regularly assess your motivations and ensure they are rooted in genuine love for God and others, not in seeking personal recognition or gain.
• Practice Honesty and Integrity: Be truthful in your dealings within the church community and in all aspects of your life. Avoid hypocrisy and presenting a false image of spirituality.
• Embrace Wholehearted Commitment: Engage fully in the life of the church, offering your time, talents, and resources generously and without reservation.
• Value the Presence of the Holy Spirit: Recognize the sacredness of God’s indwelling Spirit within you and the community. Live in a way that honors this presence.
• Cultivate Generosity and Selflessness: Follow the example of the early believers who shared their resources to care for one another.
• Practice Forgiveness, Mercy, and Grace: Extend to others the same forgiveness, mercy, and grace that God has shown you.
• Prioritize Spiritual Treasures: Focus on investing in eternal values rather than earthly possessions.
• Bear the Weight of Responsibility: Understand that being part of God’s temple is a privilege that comes with the responsibility to live a life that reflects His holiness and love.

Conclusion: A Consuming Fire

The teaching concludes with a reference to Hebrews 12:28-29, reminding believers that they are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and should worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for “our God is a consuming fire.” This echoes the fire that consumed Nadab and Abihu and the tongues of fire at Pentecost, emphasizing the seriousness and responsibility that comes with being God’s temple. Believers are called to examine their hearts and live out their faith with genuine commitment, reflecting the holiness of God in their individual lives and within the community of faith.

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