Acts 5:4

While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

This verse is the emphatic declaration that there was no compulsion whatever upon Ananias, either to sell his land or to give the money afterward. As Barnes expressed it, "This verse proves that there was no obligation imposed on the disciples to sell their property; those who did it did it voluntarily."[13] Indeed, these words can hardly be understood in any other way.

Peter's rebuke of Ananias was administered in the Holy Spirit; and there is not the slightest hint that Peter struck Ananias dead, or even that God had told Peter that such a thing would occur. Like the shaking of the house when they all prayed (Acts 4:31), this was something God did independently of any apostolic volition. We must disagree with all those commentators who, like Bruce, seem to be outraged by the marvel of this double death. He said, "Try how we may, we cannot imagine Christ acting toward sinners as St. Peter is here represented as doing."[14]

Well, why not? Did not Christ say of himself, and represent himself as saying, "But those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me!" (Luke 19:27). Men simply do not like to think of God or Christ as a being whom they should fear; and such a narrative as this was designed to correct such an inadequate conception of deity.

[13] Albert Barnes, op. cit., p. 94.

[14] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 112.