Passage
23 After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said, “Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant:
Why did the Gentiles rage
and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand
and the rulers assembled together
against the Lord and against His Messiah.27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, 30 while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.
32 Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.
36 Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement, 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Study Questions
Acts 4:23-24
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Consider the picture of Christian fellowship depicted in these two verses. Who do I turn to in times of persecution or difficulty?
I turn to my Lord and Savior in times of persecution or difficulty. Just as the apostles did during difficult times, I turn to Him to ask for anything that I need. It is only Him that can fulfill me and give me pick me back up for His ministry and purpose. I need to continually do this and remind myself to turn to my Father.
Acts 4:23-31
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Consider the content of their prayer. What stands out as noteworthy?
They recognized who God was. They told God what was going on. They asked the Father for what they needed to do His work. God answered. These are the aspects of prayer that I need to constantly remind myself and use as a layout of my prayers. This is so that I can humble myself before God and ask Him for the things that He can give: be equipped to face the world and tell them about the Good News.
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What is the role of the Holy Spirit according to v. 31?
The Holy Spirit filled the people up and they were equipped to speak God’s message with boldness.
Acts 4:23-37
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List out the features of the church shown in this passage. What aspect am I most challenged and inspired by? Which aspect of the church have I experienced? What steps can I take to strengthen the church?
I have experienced the love within the community and have felt the power of the Holy Spirit upon me to reach out and let others know about Christ. I continuously see the boldness empowered by the Holy Spirit and it is something that I will continually seek out so that I can do His work. With His boldness, I can support the body of Christ and be able to encourage one another to do His will.
Free Thought
Help me to continue to ask you for boldness in proclaiming your Word and the Gospel. Help me to continuously seek you so that I can do your will each and every day. Help me to be aware of my crowd and those around me so that I can reach out in love and with your power. Amen.
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