Apostles Against Apathy

"And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles" (Acts 2:43).

If I may paraphrase Scripture, there's a time to speak up, and a time to be quiet (see Ecclesiastes 3:7). I think today is a good day to speak up about the implications of Acts 2:43, the verse that makes the connection between the fear of the LORD and the manifestation of God's power.

Here in the western hemisphere, where many of us enjoy a comfortable existence, it's hard to find churches that still preach about the fear of the LORD. The word "fear" has gone out of vogue. But I think we would do well to have a sense of fear, awe, and holy reverence in the presence of God.

In the eastern hemisphere, particularly in nations that suffer extreme poverty and/or persecution, there seem to be more reports of the type of miracles we read about in Acts. A man prays earnestly for water and God answers by providing a lake in the middle of a drought-stricken land. A woman prays for healing and experiences the tumor on her face being instantly dissolved by the power of God.

And what do we Westerners do, over here in our nice sanctuaries? We complain incessantly and demonstrate indifference to the messages that are designed to educate and equip us.

I would like to propose a corollary: if there is an atmosphere filled with awe, holy reverence, and the fear of the LORD, then it will naturally follow that men and women will be witnesses to the kind of miracles, signs, and wonders that were common in the time of Acts.

But, it doesn't make sense to expect God to show up and demonstrate His mighty power where He's not welcomed. Warren Wiersbe says in his commentary that on five separate occasions, religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign that would verify whether He was in fact the Christ. Wiersbe notes, "the Pharisees and Sadducees did not lack evidence; they lacked honesty and humility" (from The Bible Exposition Commentary).

Well said, Warren.