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What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 • Story of healing miracle keeps getting better • Advancement of wisdom & understanding of power of Holy Spirit • Out of jail and ‘court’ with “their own people”. • What do they do? Pray together! • Jewish prayer with OT phrases, quote ‘our father David’ Psalm 2:1-2. • Remarkably similar to Hezekiah’s prayer of Isaiah 37: 16-20 What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 • Under threat, Hezekiah asked for deliverance, they ask for courage to share. • They know Scripture, it’s in their prayer. • These believers saw Psalm fulfilled in Jesus AND in their experience as his body. • We’d expect them to ask for deliverance from enemies – they ask for more… boldness • They prayed for signs to uphold God’s Word. • Answer from God – shaking house?? • • • • What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 Maybe thunder, earthquake, God’s finger? They KNEW it was God’s presence! They knew scripture! E.g. Isaiah 6:3-4 “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” • They knew that meant the presence of God! • In Exodus 19:18 whole mountain shook with the Presence of the LORD! What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 • With God’s presence clear, they were filled with the Holy Spirit – again and more… • Luke changes to summary style, very similar to Acts 2:42-47 • Together show marks of the church: • -unity in mind and heart (32a) • -sharing possessions (32b) • -power and witness of apostles (33a) • - the grace of God on them (33b) • • • • • • • • What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37 ‘Heart and mind’ is OT concept, not Greek. Basis of sharing, unselfish unqualified love Main business: Sharing Gospel of Christ. No needy among them is OT sign of blessing from Deut 15:4, also shows God’s blessing. How? Vv. 34b-35 - lay gifts at apostles feet. Submission to Christ, not apostles. Two examples, one to follow (Barnabas) and one to avoid (Ananias & Sapphira – Later) Generous sharing Gospel more than money !