*Acts 4:23-37
After being released with a warning, the apostles pray for boldness to preach, share their possessions, and experience a renewed sense of community.
- The Believers’ Prayer for Boldness:
- After their release, Peter and John return to their community and report everything the chief priests and elders had said.
- The believers respond by raising their voices together in prayer to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and quoting Psalm 2 to affirm that earthly powers cannot thwart His plans.
- They pray for boldness to continue speaking God’s word while asking God to stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.
- The place where they are gathered is shaken as a sign of God’s presence, and they are all filled with the Holy Spirit, leading them to speak the word of God boldly.
- The Believers’ Unity and Generosity:
- The community of believers is described as being one in heart and mind, with no one claiming private ownership of any possessions, but sharing everything they have.
- With great power, the apostles continue to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s grace is powerfully at work in them all.
- There are no needy persons among them, as those who own land or houses sell them and bring the proceeds to the apostles’ feet, who then distribute to anyone as they have need.
- The passage introduces Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), a Levite from Cyprus, who sells a field he owns and brings the money to the apostles.
Acts 4:23-37 teaches us the power of prayer, unity, and generosity. When Peter and John faced opposition, the believers didn’t panic—they prayed together, asking God for boldness. God answered their prayer and filled them with courage. They also shared what they had so no one was in need. We can apply this by turning to God in prayer when we face challenges, trusting Him to give us strength. We should also support and encourage one another, sharing what we can—whether it’s time, resources, or kindness—so that we can reflect God’s love in our communities.
Acts 4:23-37 (WEB)
4:23 Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; 25 who by the mouth of your servant David, said,‘Why do the nations rage,and the peoples plot a vain thing?26 The kings of the earth take a stand,and the rulers plot together,against the Lord, and against his Christ.’27 “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen. 29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.