Ananias

Ananias was a member of the Jerusalem church who, with his wife Sapphira, conspired to deceive the apostles. In the generous early days, believers sold property and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet. Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession but secretly kept back part of the price, while pretending to give it all (Acts 5:1–2).

"Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God"

Peter confronted him: the property and money had been his own to do with as he wished — his sin was the lie. "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost...? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:3–4). At these words Ananias fell down and died; three hours later Sapphira, repeating the lie, died as well.

A sobering lesson

"Great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things" (Acts 5:11). The judgment guarded the purity and honesty of the newborn church, a solemn warning against hypocrisy before God. (He is distinct from Ananias of Damascus and Ananias the high priest.)