Fear and Comfort
Are we paralysed by the fear of man or mobilised by the fear of the Lord and the comfort of His Holy Spirit? The Church is a living, breathing body that grows when it’s healthy, but it will not grow when we who are the living stones making up it’s walls are are trapped in fear. Peter shows us four things to focus on to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit so that the Church may live and grow as she should.
Scripture
Acts 9:26-35 ESV And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. [28] So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. [29] And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. [30] And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. [31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. [32] Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. [33] There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. [34] And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. [35] And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Bible Study Questions
The multiplication of the Church
Verse 32 gives another update on the multiplication of the Church, saying that it multiplied as it walked in the fear of God and the encouragement or comfort of the Holy Spirit. What gave rise to growth in the two preceding “updates” on the multiplication of the Church?
Acts 2:46-47 ESV And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 6:6-7 ESV These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Fear of man hinders
Barnabas stood up for Saul and introduced him to the disciples. The disciples were afraid of Saul and their fear hindered them from seeing the glorious and merciful power of Jesus in transforming an enemy into fellow soldier. Barnabas’ name means son of encouragement, he encouraged Saul, who must have been despondent over the rejection of the disciples, and he encouraged the fearful disciples to see the glory of Jesus in transforming Saul. How can we be used to encouage others to overcome fear and see the glory of God?
Acts 9:26-35 ESV And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Proverbs 29:25 ESV The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Fear and Comfort
When the Church stopped fearing Saul and instead focused on fearing God and walking in the comfort of His Holy Spirit the Church had peace and multiplied. What does it mean to walk in the fear of God? What does it mean to walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?
Acts 9:30-31 ESV And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. [31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Psalms 34:11-14 ESV Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. [12] What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? [13] Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. [14] Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Walking in Fear and comfort sends us out.
Peter and the Church waled in fear and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of this is demonstrated through Peter’s actions, as he walked in fear and comfort he did at least four things. What does Peter do after seeing the wonderful work of Jesus through Paul?
Acts 9:31 ESV Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Walking in Fear and Comfort finds those in need
Peter doesn’t just leave Jerusalem to be with the believers he finds for those in need. Are we going out to find those in need?
Acts 9:33 ESV There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.
Matthew 10:5-8 ESV These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, [6] but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Walking in Fear and comfort trusts Jesus to bring healing power
Having found those in need, Peter ministers to them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus? How can we do that today?
Acts 9:34 ESV And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.
John 14:12-14 ESV “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Walking in Fear and comfort turns people to the Lord Jesus Christ
The effect of walking in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Spirit causes multiplying of the Church. The Church multiplies as people turn to the Lord. What made the people of Lydda turn to the Lord? How can we help others to turn to Him today?
Acts 9:35 ESV And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.