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“The Great Traits of the Early Church” (Acts 4:23-37)
Perhaps you’ve been in a situation before where something big happened, and you get back with your friends or family, and they ask, “How did it go?” Perhaps it was a job interview, a marriage proposal, or maybe even something that could be dangerous.
Well, we see a situation in today’s passage where we essentially get the answer to the question, “How did it go?”
You may remember from last week that Peter and John stood before the important leaders of Israel, and they were being questioned about the healing of a disabled man and their speaking in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
You may recall that the meeting ended with the leaders telling Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus, and Peter and John saying that they cannot help but speak about what they had seen and heard.
In today’s passage, the rest of the disciples will hear about what happened; then we will see how they respond.
While we hear about what happens, we will see “The Great Traits of the Early Church.”
Let’s pray together and then see what the Lord has to say to us.
(prayer)
Last night my family and I went to celebrate a milestone birthday with my mom, and we were so grateful that my brother was able to go as well (he’s in town for a few days). We went to a wonderful Italian restaurant in Lakeland and just had a great experience. Some of the traits that made this restaurant great were that it had great food, great service, and wonderful portions. Honestly, it was a wonderful time and wonderful way to celebrate my mother. Those traits I mentioned made a great dining experience.
Well, today we’re going to notice three great traits of the early church, which made them the God-filled, God-glorifying force that they were.
First, we see their . . .
I. Great faith.
Let’s begin by looking at verses 23-30:
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 raised their voices together 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 do the Gentiles rage
and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers assemble 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 will had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Ok, so let’s wrap our heads around what’s going on here.
Peter and John report back to the other disciples, and we see in verse 24 that it says, “Whey they heard this . . .”
The they in verse 24 is the other disciples. They heard what Peter and John said.
The this in verse 24 is the news about what happened to Peter and John. The this was essentially the answer to the question, “How did it go?”
Notice also what they did when they got this information. Look at verse 24 again. It says, “ . . . they raised their voices together to God.”
The reaction of the disciples to what happened to Peter and John (which included threats to never speak about Jesus again) was to raise their voices to God. Why? Because they had great faith in the One True Living God of the universe.
We see the great faith of the disciples when they acknowledge all that th
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By First Baptist Church Bartow
5
22 ratings
Perhaps you’ve been in a situation before where something big happened, and you get back with your friends or family, and they ask, “How did it go?” Perhaps it was a job interview, a marriage proposal, or maybe even something that could be dangerous.
Well, we see a situation in today’s passage where we essentially get the answer to the question, “How did it go?”
You may remember from last week that Peter and John stood before the important leaders of Israel, and they were being questioned about the healing of a disabled man and their speaking in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
You may recall that the meeting ended with the leaders telling Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus, and Peter and John saying that they cannot help but speak about what they had seen and heard.
In today’s passage, the rest of the disciples will hear about what happened; then we will see how they respond.
While we hear about what happens, we will see “The Great Traits of the Early Church.”
Let’s pray together and then see what the Lord has to say to us.
(prayer)
Last night my family and I went to celebrate a milestone birthday with my mom, and we were so grateful that my brother was able to go as well (he’s in town for a few days). We went to a wonderful Italian restaurant in Lakeland and just had a great experience. Some of the traits that made this restaurant great were that it had great food, great service, and wonderful portions. Honestly, it was a wonderful time and wonderful way to celebrate my mother. Those traits I mentioned made a great dining experience.
Well, today we’re going to notice three great traits of the early church, which made them the God-filled, God-glorifying force that they were.
First, we see their . . .
I. Great faith.
Let’s begin by looking at verses 23-30:
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 raised their voices together 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 do the Gentiles rage
and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers assemble 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 will had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Ok, so let’s wrap our heads around what’s going on here.
Peter and John report back to the other disciples, and we see in verse 24 that it says, “Whey they heard this . . .”
The they in verse 24 is the other disciples. They heard what Peter and John said.
The this in verse 24 is the news about what happened to Peter and John. The this was essentially the answer to the question, “How did it go?”
Notice also what they did when they got this information. Look at verse 24 again. It says, “ . . . they raised their voices together to God.”
The reaction of the disciples to what happened to Peter and John (which included threats to never speak about Jesus again) was to raise their voices to God. Why? Because they had great faith in the One True Living God of the universe.
We see the great faith of the disciples when they acknowledge all that th