Acts 4 Continued

Acts 4:23-37

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.^[b]’^[c]

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Footnotes:

b. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ

c. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

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Observation

When Peter and John came bad with news of the threats and warnings of the chief priests and elders, the first response of the people was to pray (verse 24).

When the people pray, they start by recognizing who God is. They tell God that He is Sovereign and Creator (verse 24).

When the people pray, they quote Scripture a.k.a., God's own words (verses 25-26).

When the believers pray, they do not ask for deliverance from danger or even protection. They pray for God to enable them to preach with boldness (verse 29).

The believers asked for boldness and God gave it to them (verse 31).

As the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, much grace was upon them all (verse 33).

Joseph was mentioned specifically. Moreover, he was called Barnabas/"Son of Encouragement." I wonder why the specific mention of this man, especially since he was not the only one to sell his own land (verse 36-37).

I assume that the believers gave willingly since they were in one heart and mind (verse 32). So willingly that no one was in need (verse 34).

Even as though believers were living in this deep community, they were not in a

bubble. The gospel continued to be preached (verse 33).

Interpretation

The believers use God's own words in their prayer. This supports their petition to God.

The believers acknowledge who God is. This is not only a way of praising His name, but recognizing how big is the God whom they are praying to.

Knowing/quoting God's word back to Him not only supports petition but helps in understanding God's will and plan. In verses 27-28, the people talk about what God's plan was/how what God intended was fulfilled. By knowing His word, they knew His plan, which allowed them to pray in His will.

God heard them. And He not only heard them, He granted them His spirit that would enable them to do exactly what they asked - speak God's word with boldness.

The believers prayed with faith and expectation (faith was evident in how quickly they went into prayer when the apostles reported to them what had happened with the chief priests and elders. Expectation was evident in the nature of their requests (verse 30)).

Question:

Was grace upon the all believers (verse 33) because the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, or is the grace independent of the apostles' actions?

Hmmm. Perhaps the latter. So what role does the mention of God's grace on the people play in the meaning of this verse? Maybe to preach requires grace? Wonder wonder...

No one was in need among the believers because "No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had" (verse 32). For there to be a community where everyone's needs are met, people must be willing to give up what they have for the benefit of their fellow man/woman (verse 34). Also a matter of sharing (verse 32).

Application

In my prayers, I should start by telling God who He is, not only as praise to Him, but also for me to understand who I am talking to (He is big enough to answer my prayers and also He is a holy God that deserves reverence).

I need to know scripture so that:

1) I can quote God's words back to Him and "remind Him" of His words/promises to me (side revelation, not really drawn from this passage of scripture).

2) Support my petitions to Him with His very own words.

3) PRAY IN HIS WILL because I have a better understanding of His word, therefore having a better understanding of His character and plan.

In praying in His will, I should pray with faith and in expectation.

I should pray for God to enable me to press forward in spite of threats and opposition. The prayer should not always be that God delivers me from the situation (In a lot of Psalms, though, the psalmist asks for deliverance from trials. Thought to revisit).

The body of believers is supposed to give sacrificially. No one among us should have need. What ways can I give and sacrifice so that my brother or sister in Christ may not be in need?

The members of the church should be of one heart and mind (verse 32). Am I united with my church brothers and sisters in heart and mind?

I am to live in deep community with my brothers and sisters, however, this does not mean stay in Christian bubble. As I take care of those who I in Christ, I am to reach out to those who are not yet in Christ. I should invite them to be a part of the community of believers.

I should strive to be a "Son of Encouragement" (Barnabas). My love should shine through my actions (sacrificial generosity, seeking to meet needs of my Christian community, other ways) to the point where I can be called a "Daughter of Encouragement." My character should shine through, and also develop, the more I live in community. Hallelujah.

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Sovereign Lord, You are the Maker of Heaven and Earth. You are the Ancient of Days, the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. THANK YOU for loving me and caring to have anything to do with me. I praise You Lord for having incredible patience and focus that You are able to bring into fruition the plan that You have for mankind. Lord, I am grateful to You for continuing to lead me back to You every time I stray. Thank You for reminding me of how sweet You are each time I read and study Your word. Thank You for feeding my spirit, it has been starving these past days. Holy Spirit, thank You for reaping so much out of this passage! And I also thank You that what You are teaching me is actually staying with me and not leaving my mind and heart. Thank You for growing me through these lessons and even just the discipline reading Your word everyday. Praise Yahweh! Praise the God who Is all that Is! Thank You Lord for the example of these believers from the early church and for this raw model of what the church is supposed to be and do. May the churches of today bring honor and glory to Your name as this one did! Thank You Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise You. Please be with me as I go about the rest of the day and week and as I go to church on Sunday. May I die to my flesh and bring honor and glory to Your name. In the name of Jesus the Christ I pray, Amen.