Download What to Do About Good News Acts 4: 23-37

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??
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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)
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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 !