The Day of Pentecost had come and Peter preached a powerful sermon, “…those who gladly received Peter’s word were baptized; and that day about THREE THOUSAND SOULS WERE ADDED to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” (Acts 2:41-43)
Why did the fear of the Lord come upon all of them? Because GOD had spoken to them, “Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in OUR OWN LANGUAGE in which we were born…we hear them speaking IN OUR OWN TONGUES the wonderful works (megaleios: the mighty miraculous works) of God.” (Acts 2:7-8, 11) The LORD was speaking godly sorrow into their hearts so they would repent and be converted. This, of course, caused the fear of God to come upon them. “Then the church enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. LIVING IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND ENCOURAGED by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” (Acts 9:31)
What exactly is the fear of the Lord. yir’âh: an awesome or terrifying thing, respect, reverence. “…since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken (asaleutos: unmovable) , let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and GODLY FEAR. For OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.” (Heb. 12:28-29) Because of the terrible sexual perversion there, “…the LORD rained BRIMSTONE AND FIRE on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.” (Gen. 19:24) “Through love and truth sin is paid for. And by THE FEAR OF THE LORD one keeps away FROM EVIL.” (Pro. 16:6)
Most importantly remember this, “God SO LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.” (John 3:16-17)
-Bill Stockham