Acts Bible Study Witnessess Lesson 4
Acts 4 Conviction and Commitment
Commitment To God
Acts 4:1-2 Why were the Sadducees grieved (annoyed) by the message of Peter
and John?
First, in 19, the priority of obeying God before obeying earthly authority.
Second, the rule of always speaking and standing for the truth.
How can we apply the same principles when opposed today?
Our responsibility to God takes precedent over all other authority and the truth
is paramount.
What opposition do Christians and the Lord’s churches face in our society
today?
Mockery, threats, zoning laws, job loss and civil suits. Recently after the
Supreme Court leak about Roe vs. Wade churches have been threatened and
vandalized. In the past churches in San Francisco that dared speak out against
homosexuality were surrounded by mobs that refused to let people enter and threw
rocks through the windows after services began.
Acts 4: 23-31 Commitment to Prayer
Examine this prayer in detail.
Vs. 24 First How did they begin their prayer?
By appealing in praise to the Lord as God and creator. The word for Lord
used here is not the one used most often, κύριος which means superior or master,
but the word, δεσπότης, despotēs; an absolute ruler, a despot. Sovereign Lord.
Vs. 25 What is the second element of the prayer?
An appeal to God’s Word. Psalm 2:1–3 Why do the heathen rage, And
the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the
rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed,
saying, Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
Vs 27-28 What was their final appeal to?
God’s sovereign will and foreknowledge.
Vs. 29-30 Finally what was their request from God? What did they ask of
Him?
For God to see the opposition they faced, to give them boldness, courage to
“speak thy word” and for power that they might glorify Jesus Christ.
The Christians did not pray for safety or protection but that, in the face
of opposition, they might be faithful in proclaiming God’s word. - Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett Falconer Harrison,
Eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament, (Chicago: Moody Press,
1962), Ac 4:24.
“…they asked God to empower them to make the best use of their
circumstances and to accomplish what He had already determined. This was not
“fatalism” but faith in the Lord of history who has a perfect plan and is
always victorious. They asked for divine enablement, not escape; - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary,
(Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 1:418.
Vs. 24-30 List the elements of the church's prayer.
Praise to God the Father, Promise of Scripture, Providence of God’s Will, and
a Petition for boldness and power.
He is the Lord of the Harvest. We
ask for opportunity and boldness, but He must bring people to Himself.
Notice the sequence of actions by the church in this passage?
First, they faced opposition, then they prayed, then the place was shaken, then
they were filled, and finally they spoke with boldness.
Application:
Applying this passage to us today, if boldness and power to witness are
missing from our church or life, what may be one of the causes?
Lack of prayer or of not praying as we ought. If we pray with no faith in
God as creator, no understanding of His providence and to stop the opposition
instead of strengthening us to face it, we may be ineffective in our call as
witnesses.
Acts 4:32-36 Commitment to Unity
Vs. 32-33 What was one of the major characteristics of this spirit filled
first church?
Strong unity, Acts 4:32 them that believed were of one heart and of one
soul.
What was an outcome of this unity?
Great power to witness and great grace. Acts 4:33 great power gave
the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was
upon them all. The unity also showed in that they held nothing back from their
fellow believers but held all things in common. It did not belong to them but
it belonged to the Lord.
Vss. 34-36 Some of the wealthier members of the church sold property and
gave it to the church, (probably extra property, not the primary residences or
homes) to be administered by the apostles. How were the things that were sold shared?
According to need, Acts 4:35 distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need.
Application
Some advocate that the first church was communistic and that all things
were equally redistributed, bringing all the believes into economic equality. Is
this what was happening?
No. First it was a voluntary gift given to the church not the government.
Second it was given for the purpose of meeting needs in the lives of those
hurting in the church, not for the purpose of making all financially equal. Thirdly,
it was a unique time and place for the Lord’s working through the church. No
other place after this do the believers have all things in common, though they
continue to meet the needs of their fellow believers.
We should have a common vision, goals, purpose, finances within the church.
A common faith, priorities in the Lord’s work, common belief in and about God’s
Word and will.
All the following scriptures were written to the early church to
encourage them to have this kind of unity.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Romans 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be
with you.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Conclusion
Several elements of the church’s commitments in this chapter brought about
the final results we read in Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the
apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was
upon them all.
We see their commitment to faithfully serving God, speaking and standing
for the truth, seeking God in prayer, and holding to a strong unity.
Reflecting on these things I should ask myself, How strong are these
elements in my life and in my church. If not then what things must I do to
change and to be the change in my church?
The church of Jerusalem during this period was witnessing and seeing
greater results than at any other time for one church in the same time period. Much
of that was accomplished by these elements within the church and at this level.
It is not likely we will ever see 10s of thousand saved in a matter of a few
days, but being committed to God’s service, the truth, prayer and unity are
still needed if we are to be the witnesses we are called to be.
11th Principle of Biblical Witnesses.
If I am committed to serving God, to standing for the truth, to consistent and fervent prayer, and to church unity,
I will be a witness.
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