Welcome to Week 3 of Awaken and to Acts chapter 4. This week, we see the immediate aftermath of Peter and John’s arrest by the Sadducees and being dragged before the Sanhedrin where they were threatened for teaching about Jesus.
How they responded gives us our topic for this week: Boldness. Over the next five days we will consider what it means to be bold.
The passage itself is short (Acts 4:23-32), so we strongly encourage you to read it through completely at least once (maybe read all of chapter 4 while you’re there?). Each day we will be focusing on just a verse or three.
Prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
You Don’t Give In To Threats
Observe
In response to the threats made by the chief priests and elders, Peter and John returned to their companions and all together they declared the greatness of God.
Acts 4:23-26
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
Acts 4:5-22
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
When it comes to telling others about Jesus, we may find ourselves in opposition to those in authority. The response Peter and John gave before the chief priests and elders is recorded in your related scriptures for today. Whether the chief priests and elders thought Peter and John should listen to them rather than God didn’t matter. Peter and John would speak of the things they had seen and heard.
Those in authority over us, whether that’s a boss at work, a teacher in a classroom, or anyone else, certainly have a responsibility to maintain order and accomplish certain goals. Disrupting the environment by throwing gospel tracts at everyone is probably unwise. However, sharing with others what God has done for you is something no one should be able to intimidate you into avoiding. Like Peter and John, we must share what we’ve seen and heard.
- If, like Peter and John, you were to speak of what you’ve seen and heard, what would you say? What has God done for you that you would share with others?
- How would you respond if you were told to not talk about “all that church stuff” or you’d face the consequences?
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am afraid of rejection and repercussions, and even persecution, if I speak of you. These apostles must have felt fear also, but they encouraged each other and spoke your word for strength. I have this passage and your whole Word available to me. I have a community of believers to give me courage and strength; thank you Lord! Help me to remember, and to simply speak the truth of what I’ve seen and heard of you. Amen.
Day 2
You See Your Purpose
Observe
The apostles and their companions recognized that everything, even the opposition they faced, was part of God’s predetermined plan.
Acts 4:27-28
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Isaiah 46:8-10
8 “Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
Genesis 50:20
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Ephesians 1:11
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Proverbs 16:33
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
One of the core tenets to our system of Reformed theology is a belief in God’s sovereignty. Everything that happens, whether good or bad, is with God’s permission. It can indeed be difficult, when we find ourselves in hardship, to accept that this too is God’s plan. And somehow, maybe in a way we can’t understand at the time, this will bring God glory. Peter and John were not discouraged by who was gathered against them, but recognized that was all according to God’s plan.
Jesus went so far as to promise his disciples they would have trouble in the world, but told them to take heart because he had overcome the world (John 16:33).
- When you consider that everything that happens to you is with God’s permission, how does that make you feel?
- What is at least one way that you think God might receive glory when his people face hardship?
Dear Lord, Life can become so chaotic. My attention can be so fractured by the common demands of life that it is hard to remember that you have a purpose. I am so prone to see setbacks and struggles as a sign of my own failures. But these thoughts are all focused on me, when I need to focus on you. I don’t know how today’s struggles may fit in your plan, but I believe that your plan covers it all. Remind me of that. Help to trust you, even when it gets really hard. Thank you Lord.
Day 3
You Look For God’s Power
Observe
Peter, John, and their companions had an expectation that God would move among them in power (with healing, in this case, and other signs and wonders).
Acts 4:29-30
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Romans 12:6-8
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
The subject of miraculous manifestations of the Spirit is a contentious one, and people feel very strongly on both sides of the issue. Some insist that unless one says the Spirit always works miracles, on demand, they’re showing a lack of faith. Yes, the Bible does say in several places that when Jesus entered a town he healed “all who were sick.” But what about the people in the next town? Was no one sick or dying in the next town? What about the town after that?
When Jesus told his disciples they would do greater works than he had done, he wasn’t describing the works themselves, he was referring to his followers influencing the entire world while Jesus himself had only visited a small part of it. God’s Spirit is still at work today in every nation and people. In some places, yes, he still works the signs and wonders that authenticate the message of the gospel. In other places, he works through believers that are already there, empowering them to accomplish God’s plan.
We must not disregard the potential for God’s Spirit to move in us.
- What makes it difficult to expect miracles?
- What are you looking for God’s Spirit to do through you?
Dear Jesus, Open my eyes to your powerful work in the world around me. Remove the blinders of my unbelief. You are a great and mighty God, and I confess that I would put limits on you. Forgive that sin of pride and unbelief, Lord. Grant to this servant the faith and courage to expect great things and to speak of your salvation. Amen.
Day 4
You Speak God’s Word
Observe
When God answered their prayers by filling them with the Holy Spirit, they boldly spoke the word of God.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
It can feel intimidating to speak God’s word to someone else. After all, who are we to be speaking for God? We’re just as corrupted by this fallen world as everyone else, right? Of course we are, but that is the very reason we speak the word of God instead of what passes for wisdom among people. Our confidence comes from knowing the God whose word it is!
- What examples can you think of where God’s word has proven true in your own experience?
- What do you think it means to speak the word of God (for instance, must it be quoted exactly, do you have to cite the chapter and verse reference, etc.)?
Father God, I don’t expect my prayers today to cause an earthquake, and I’m not sure if that’s a lack of faith or not. But I believe that the prayers of your church can disrupt our City for good. I believe that prayer and your word spoken can shine light into the darkest places. I believe that your mercy can break down walls of injustice and suffering. Use me for those things, Lord. I pray this in your strong name. Amen.
Day 5
You Have One Heart
Observe
When God answered their prayer for boldness, these believers had no higher allegiance.
Acts 4:32
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Philippians 2:1-7
Christ’s Example of Humility
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
A few years ago, Pastor Tom preached a sermon series called “Leverage Your Life.” In that series, he described what God wanted from us. He said, “Imagine there’s this big bag up here on stage. God doesn’t want me to toss in just some of my time, talent, and treasure. God wants me to put it ALL in the bag, then climb in the bag myself, tie it up with a bow, and hop it over to him.” Now God is not opposed to private property ownership nor is God a communist. However, God does want us to believe that everything we have is his to use. That’s what the first church did, leveraged everything they had to spread the message.
We should also note that, eventually, this unity would include Jews and Gentiles coming together as believers and followers of Christ. Jews of that time prided themselves on living apart from non-Jews and this tribalism ran deep. For instance, a Jewish person would not enter the home of a Gentile, nor invite a Gentile into their home. Our common bond in Jesus Christ matters more than any other way in which we identify.
- When you consider that metaphorical bag, are you honestly able to say you could put everything inside of it?
- How would you fill in the blank? “I really couldn’t be of one heart and soul with someone who __________.”
Dear Lord, That your church would have a common heart and would view all of its resources as given for a common goal seems beyond hopeless right now. But there is hope; I see it in the ministries of our church and other churches in the city. Help me to join those efforts with joy and welcome. Help me to open my hands, Lord, and release the wonderful blessings you’ve poured into my life for the spread of your gospel. Amen.