Great Fear Seized the Church- Acts 5

This is a problem text... I mean if you have a civil, easy going, carefree picture of God in your head then Acts 5 will certainly upset your view of Him. Two believers sell a field and hold back some of the proceeds. But, what they didn't hold back they lay at the foot of the apostles to distribute to those that have needs.

But, because they hold some back they are immediately executed by God. 

Let me point out a few things that should make you squirm a little. First, think about the fact that this is 5 chapters into Acts. This is only 3 chapters away from the start of the early church!? Ananias and Sapphira probably heard Peter preach in Acts 2 and most likely were baptised.... Ananias and Sapphira would have been counted as church goers by me and you. In fact, their devotion of selling their land probably puts them into a category of serious church folk in our books. I mean they sold land and gave the proceeds away. Sure, they kept some back but which of us wouldn't do that? 90/10 would be fair right. God I will give you 90 percent and only keep back a portion... sounds legit to me. (I am just speculating that the ratio would of been that high because they claim, 'that is all of the money for the land.' I am assuming that the amount they laid at the feet was close to the amount the field would actually sell for meaning they only held back a small enough amount to hopefully be unnoticeable.)

But they lied to the Holy Spirit. They stole from God. They neither feared Him or respected Him. Their hearts weren't right. They had the religious out workings of 'christianity' but they were far from God. And to make a very legitimate and justified point... they die.

This isn't a first and certainly not the last time that such an event occurs. Arron has two sons that suffer the same death sentence when they offer an unauthorized fire on the alter and were consumed by fire from God... When Moses comforted Aaron his remark was, ""This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:  'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored." Aaron remained silent"(Lev. 10:3). Or take for example Uzzah who reached out to steady the ark of the covenant and God's anger burned against Uzzah for his irreverent act; therefor the LORD struck him down beside the ark (2 Sam 6). 

Saying that God isn't like that anymore doesn't work for me. Obviously Acts 5 is a new testament account of the same holy God pouring out with expedience his wrath against men. So, what can we take from this? My suggestion is a healthy fear of God. And I mean shake in your boots fear. I do not mean simply respect although that is surely part of it. But, fear fear. God should illicit the same response in you as He has on the most astute christians like Isaiah... "Woe is me! I am ruined!" That should be your response to reading Acts 5... not a bold argumentative, 'that is not fair God!' Because what would be fair is if He executed that sort of judgement on all men immediately... what is unbelievably not fair is the fact that you deserve that sort of quick punishment but God settled your account on Calvary and is exhibiting great patience with you even today as you continue to sin. He took the swift judgement that you deserve and poured it out in anger and wrath on His son. That is incredibly not fair. That is grace. 

It is awesome that I am not incinerated right now as I sit at my computer right now totally unholy and unworthy to speak about such lofty things. It is incredible that even though your flesh tries to justify you as you read this article that God doesn't bring about justice. God is gracious and slow to anger. He is storing up His wrath for the day of judgement and I think it would be best to get right with Him today while you still have a day. And remember this is for the newbie to the faith and the pastor of 40 years. Because we are told to take up our cross daily. Today we die. Tomorrow we will do the same. Let fear lead you to crucify your wicked flesh. Use Acts 5 to as your example of how to respond to a Holy God, "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events" (Acts 5:11). Fear is an appropriate response so let me show you some other verses to confirm that God is to be feared:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). 

"And now, O' Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good" (Deut. 10:12-13).

"The LORD confides in those who fear him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

"Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise" (Psalm 111:10).

"Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24).

Friends, the bible is clear on the matter that we serve a holy God that is to be feared. It would do us well to approach His throne with trembling and repent of our sins while the offer is still being made available. This is not scare tactic evangelism. This is reality.