Acts 5:9-16: a reflection

9But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 11Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. 12By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13None of the rest dared to join them; however, the people honored them. 14More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. 15They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them. 16The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.

In the early days of the church, a holy reverence rested on God's people, and God's power was strikingly at work among them. Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things; there was a solemn awe at the holiness of God present among them. And alongside this reverence, God's power drew and healed: many signs and wonders were done, more believers were added, and the sick were brought and healed, so that even Peter's passing shadow was sought. Reverent awe at God's holiness and the drawing power of his work went together; the sense of God's presence produced both awe and attraction.

Notice the two things that went together: reverent awe at God's holiness, and the drawing power of his work. A holy fear came upon the church and all who heard; the presence of a holy God was felt, and it inspired awe. And at the same time, God's power drew people, healing the sick, adding believers, so that multitudes came. The reverent awe did not repel; the same presence that inspired holy fear also drew people to God, healing and gathering them. Awe at God's holiness and attraction to his work were not opposites but companions; the sense of a holy God among his people both sobered and drew.

That is worth taking to heart, for a right reverence for God's holiness is not at odds with the drawing power of his work, but goes with it. We can imagine that reverent awe and fear of God would repel people, that only a comfortable, un-awesome God would draw them; but in the early church, the holy fear of God and the drawing of multitudes went together. A right reverence for God's holiness, far from repelling, accompanies the attractiveness of his work. Do not think that reverent awe of God's holiness is at odds with drawing people to him; in the early church, holy fear and the drawing of multitudes went together. Hold a right reverence for God's holiness, knowing it goes together with the drawing power of his work, as the early church knew both a holy fear and the adding of multitudes; for reverent awe at a holy God and the attractiveness of his work are companions, not opposites, and the presence of a holy God among his people both sobers and draws.

Lord, in the early days of the church, a holy reverence rested on your people, and your power was strikingly at work among them. Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things; there was a solemn awe at the holiness of you present among them. And alongside this reverence, your power drew and healed: many signs and wonders were done, more believers were added, and the sick were brought and healed. Reverent awe at your holiness and the drawing power of your work went together. Show me the two things that went together: reverent awe at your holiness, and the drawing power of your work. A holy fear came upon the church and all who heard; the presence of a holy God was felt, and it inspired awe. And at the same time, your power drew people, healing the sick, adding believers, so that multitudes came. The reverent awe did not repel; the same presence that inspired holy fear also drew people to you. Awe at your holiness and attraction to your work were not opposites but companions. Take that to my heart, for a right reverence for your holiness is not at odds with the drawing power of your work, but goes with it. I can imagine that reverent awe and fear of you would repel people, that only a comfortable, un-awesome God would draw them; but in the early church, the holy fear of you and the drawing of multitudes went together. Keep me from thinking that reverent awe of your holiness is at odds with drawing people to you, Lord. Help me hold a right reverence for your holiness, knowing it goes together with the drawing power of your work, as the early church knew both a holy fear and the adding of multitudes.