In the early Jerusalem community, 'no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own; they had everything in common.' Many sold their possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution. Among them, a man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a field — but with his wife's knowledge they kept back part of the proceeds and brought only a portion to the apostles, claiming it was the whole sale price.
Peter said: 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? You have not lied to men but to God.' Ananias fell down and breathed his last. Great fear seized all the community. The young men wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
Three hours later Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her about the sale price; she repeated the lie. Peter said: 'Behold the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.' She fell down and died at his feet. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard. The episode — uncomfortable in any era — is the foundational scriptural text on the gravity of lying to the Holy Spirit and on the sanctity of the new covenant community.