Rejoicing in their Release
TRANSLATION
(23) When they were released, Peter and John returned to the church community and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. (24) When they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and prayed, “Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. (25) You declared by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father, David, ‘Why did the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? (26) The kings of the earth rose up and the rulers gathered together against the Lord, and against his anointed one [Messiah].’ (27) Truly in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and people of Israel, conspired against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, (28) to do whatever your power and will had decided beforehand to take place. (29) And now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to declare your word boldly (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders in the name of your holy servant, Jesus.” (31) When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and declared the word of God boldly.
(32) All the believers were unified in heart and mind. None of them claimed that any of their possessions was their own but 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 (34) that no one among them lacked anything. As many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what they had sold (35) to lay them at the apostles’ feet who distributed to each as any had need. (36) Now 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 to lay at the apostles’ feet.
OBSERVATIONS
Acts 4 closed on a triumphant note with the release of Peter and John from Jewish custody and the church rejoicing in God’s protection of their leaders and the great unity they were experiencing. Repetitions included four occurrences of “servant(s)” (vss. 25, 27, 29, & 30), “the Holy Spirit” (vss. 25 & 31), the phrase “declare your word/the word of God with boldness/boldly” (vss. 29 & 31), “great” (twice in vs. 33), “sold” and “brought” (twice vss. 34 & 37), and two occurrences of the phrase, “to lay at the apostles’ feet” (vss. 35 & 37).
OUTLINE
I. When Peter and John were released, the believers rejoiced and prayed for greater boldness. (23-31)
II. The church experienced great unity as evidenced by the pooling of their material resources. (32-37)
IDEA STATEMENT
The degree of joy and unity experienced by the early church reached a climax after the release of Peter and John, motivating everyone to obedience and personal sacrifice.
APPLICATION
Few moments in the history of the church can match the level of joy and unity experienced by these early followers of Jesus after Peter and John had been released by the Jewish authorities. Having seen God spectacularly answer prayer, they were now motivated to an even greater intensity in their intercession. As they continued to pour out their requests to God, the house in which they were meeting shook and their hearts were filled to overflowing with the Spirit’s presence confirming that God was truly delighted with their devotion. They left that place with a renewed determination to proclaim the Good News of the risen Lord throughout the city.
Having given us an account of that powerful prayer meeting, Luke then provided us with a status report, letting us know what was happening among the believers at that moment. Such was their unity and joy that they gladly shared everything in common, taking care of the material needs of all within their newly formed fellowship. Luke mentioned one gift in particular that impressed everyone, Barnabas selling a field and bringing the proceeds to the apostles to use as they saw fit. This kind of personal sacrifice for the common good served as a great encouragement and example to all.