How can we discern true reverence for God in our church today? The Moment in Acts 5 Acts 5:13: “Yet no one else dared to join them, even though the people highly regarded them.” The backdrop is the shocking deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Holiness had been vindicated publicly; hypocrisy met immediate judgment. The result: outsiders “esteemed” the church, but fear kept casual joiners away. What Genuine Reverence Looked Like Then • Seriousness about sin—public discipline showed sin matters (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13). • High regard from observers—reverence impressed, not entertained, the crowd. • Divine presence confirmed—“many signs and wonders” (Acts 5:12) followed holy fear. • Growth still occurred—verse 14 shows true converts added even while the fearful stayed back. Marks That Signal True Reverence in a Church Today 1. Clear preaching of God’s holiness – Leviticus 10:3; Isaiah 6:1-5. – Sin named biblically, grace offered, cheap grace rejected. 2. Transparent corporate confession – 1 John 1:9 practiced publicly and privately. – Repentance celebrated more than performance. 3. Orderly, Spirit-governed gatherings – 1 Corinthians 14:24-25: unbelievers are “convicted… the secrets of his heart are disclosed.” – Awe, not chaos, marks worship. 4. Fruit of the Spirit evident – Growth in love, joy, peace shows reverence is real, not wooden legalism. 5. Discernible boundary between church and world – Acts 5:13: some refused to “join”; the line was bright. – Membership meaningful, discipline practiced (Matthew 18:15-17). 6. Humble leadership under Scripture – Shepherds tremble at God’s word (Isaiah 66:2). – Decisions tested by “It is written,” not trends. 7. Expectation of God’s tangible work – Acts 2:43: “Everyone was filled with awe.” – Testimonies of answered prayer, conversions, transformed lives. Practical Ways to Cultivate Holy Awe • Begin gatherings with Scripture that exalts God’s majesty (Psalm 96; Hebrews 12:28-29). • Incorporate moments of silence for reflection on preached truth. • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly and reverently (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). • Teach church history accounts of revival and judgment to remind what God can do. • Encourage private holiness—home discipleship, accountability pairs. Guardrails Against Counterfeit Reverence • Resist mere emotional manipulation; test experiences by Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Avoid pride in outward form; genuine fear produces humility, not superiority (Philippians 2:3). • Keep gospel central—reverence divorced from Christ’s cross drifts into dead ritual (Hebrews 10:19-22). Living in Fear and Joy Together Acts 5 shows that true reverence makes the church both attractive and intimidating. When holiness is honored: • Hypocrisy is exposed. • Believers grow in joy and purity. • Outsiders see something other-worldly and are drawn to honest grace. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Where that fear thrives, wisdom and life flow to the whole body of Christ today. |
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