This has to be one of the most inspirational chapters in the book of Acts for me. Every time I read it my admiration for the early disciples, especially Peter and John, go through the roof. These two had transformed from being timid at times, to other times boastful, while other times impetuous to become to great evangelist on a mission to transform the world. Yet, here we find them meet with a great host of opposition from the Jewish people and leaders. At this pivotal point in history they could have chosen to abandon ship, forsake the mission, and return to a life of great comfort. Instead, they dug down deep and found the strength of the Holy Spirit and preach yet another powerful sermon to the religious leaders on the foundation beliefs of Jesus Christ, which they rejected and crucified. Although they are arrested, held overnight and commanded not to speak or preach in the name of Jesus again they stood tall and gave a their great confession. They did not cower under the pressure of conformity nor cowardice. Instead they cried, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." In our vernacular they simple said, "Not gonna happen!" Oh that we could have such a close and intimate fellowship with Jesus that we the critics try to silence us from speaking the name of Jesus we boldly say, "Not gonna happen!"
As the chapter continues we see where Peter and John are released and they return to the remainder of the disciples. In this they joined together to, once again, PRAY! Do you notice that the early formation of the church took the matter of prayer with great sincerity and did not seek to move forward without any direction from their Leader, Jesus Christ. They did not pray, "Lord take away the opposition, smooth our paths, or make our job easier." Instead, they prayed for the ability to speak God's message with great boldness. In the midst of their prayers, because they were prayed with sincerity, urgency, and fervor the presence of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed the place causing the very building to shake and once again filling the people with the Holy Spirit empowering them to do even greater things.
In the closing section we find that the people, as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit began to take their eyes off of themselves, their desires and self-promotions, attending to the needs of one another. They had a compassion and love for each other like no other time before. They provided for the needs of one another, they were of one mind and accord, they did not allow anyone to go without a need being met! They were the epitome of the Church!
Lessons to Glean:
1. When faced with opposition, do not lose heart, PRAY!
2. When faced with an uncertainty, PRAY!
3. When we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, everything about who we are changes!
Sharon and I are glad you challenged us to read Acts this month. Sydney is helping me with the post. A little family time.
ReplyDeleteFrench revolutionary leader Danton said "Pour les vaincre, messieurs, il nous faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace et la Patrie sera sauvée!"
This quote is used in military circles often. Danton, Napoleon, Patton and many more. Men with a mission and a goal in mind know that boldness and audacity in the face of adversity is a minimum requirement.
Peter and John faced the Sanhedrin with boldness and audacity. They showed audacity in the face of adversity. What had they to fear, certainly not death. They had seen Christ heal the sick raise the dead and then saw Christ raise himself from the dead.
The meaning of the above: "To defeat them, gentlemen, we need audacity, still more audacity, and audacity forever, and the Fatherland will be saved!"
Should we as Christians approach our mission with boldness and audacity in the face adversity? As you said in your post we must pray so that we gain our strength from God to act boldly.