Disciples' Prayer and Provision (Acts 4:23-31) by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Disciples’ Prayer Acts 4:23-31

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce    

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts &Gospel music

 

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and 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 heaven 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 take their stand, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.

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 miraculous 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 Provision, Acts 4:32-37

 

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. 

 

Verse 23 own people Referring to the church people, who were made distinct and separate from the Jews by calling on the name of Jesus (9:14). All the brothers and sisters in the Lord are the believers’ own people.

Verse 24-30 A prayer of thanksgiving for the sovereign power of God, not a prayer for deliverance from further opposition. The only petition in the prayer is for boldness (v.29-31). verse 24 Sovereign Master, the Greek word for Sovereign Master denotes a master (of slave) one who has absolute sovereign power, as in Luke 2:29; Jude 4; Rev.6:10;1Tim.6:1-2.

Verse 25 Why did the Gentiles rage, the Greek word means to snort like a horse, i.e., to be haughty, insolent.

Verse 27 Responsibility for the death of Christ is laid upon both Jews and Gentiles.

Verse 31 the Holy Spirit. There are a number of references to the activity of the Holy Spirit in Acts: (1) He baptizes believers into the Body of Christ, thus forming the church (1:5;11:15-16). (2) His presence in the believer is evidence of the new birth (2:38; 5:32; 10:44; 15:8). (3) He fills believers for witnessing (4:8), for leadership (6:3z), for strength (7:55), and for special discernment (13:9). (4) He leads (13:4; 16:7)

Verse 32 they shared everything. This display of Christian charity did not abolish the right of personal property. Such community of goods was not compulsory but voluntary, as a way of eliminating need among them.

Verse 36 Aramaic, meaning son of prophecy, applied figuratively tone who speaks to encourage, exhort, and console people. 

 

Bibliography,

Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.