Consecration and the Book of Acts

In this post I'd like to go over a passage in Acts that is problematic to many free-grace thinkers, and that is Acts 4:34 to 5:11. This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife pair that sold their possessions but didn't give the proceeds to the church, so they were both struck dead by the Lord.

It is apparent from verse 34 that Christians at the time were living in a communal living arrangement similar to what early Mormons termed "the Law of Consecration" and were required to give all their possessions to the church, and in return the church would take care of them. The idea being that all belongs to God and we are only stewards of the possessions. Also, there are no poor because everyone has an equal amount as well as an equal work-load.

Ananais and Sapphira in this passage keep a portion of the proceeds for themselves and lay the rest at the apostle's feet, thinking that since nobody knows about it they will go unpunished. Anytime we lie to the Lord or disobey his commandments we miss out on a blessing. In this case, they missed out on their chance to live out a full life. We don't hear anything about them being unsaved, just that they lost their lives for their disobedience.

I have heard various explanations for this passage, some of which try to say that they both had a heart condition and died of natural causes. These are mostly the free-grace thinkers that like to teach that no tithing or consecration is expected of the believer once the Law of Moses was fulfilled, since the atonement of Jesus Christ fulfilled the law. Others have believed that God changed the commandment once the church was established and no longer living as a community. Many have found it a challenge to fit this passage into their theology.

However, consecration (a forerunner to today's tithing) has always been required by God of His followers, even before the Law of Moses, and its clear that after the Law of Moses was fulfilled He still had a requirement. Instead of a 10% tithe the requirement here is 100%. Even today we should be expected to give our 100% in following God.

While God's procedures are currently more lax than they were then, in that we don't see anyone being struck dead on the spot for not paying their tithing, God still requires us to at least be willing to give our all, including our time and talents, as well as a 10% tithe, in building up the Kingdom of God on the Earth. I think this passage is a good justification for having tithing in our day and is a good defense for the Mormon doctrine of Consecration.

Mormons and Masons are familiar with these concepts as we make covenants. Mormons make covenants with God at baptism, confirmation, sacrament, and in the Temple. We agree to follow God and take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Masons also make promises to God during their obligations that bind them to honor their vows to support their lodge and be loyal to its teachings.

Commandments such as these that are mentioned from the Book of Acts are not meant to be drudgery, but are for our benefit. They result in blessings when followed. We see one benefit in verse 34, "Neither was there any among them that lacked..." There are many other intangible spiritual benefits that are greater than anyone can describe when we keep these commandments. Obeying God always results in happiness and more freedom.