Acts 4:23-37

4:23-24 | Suffering always draws the church together and makes it stronger (1 Cor. 12:26). Upon Peter and John’s report, the church then returned to what it does best: praying for the power of God to continue as they spread the gospel in Jerusalem and beyond.

4:24-28 | Lord is not a reference to a harsh, dictatorial ruler but simply to a sovereign master – One who is in complete control (2 Kgs. 19:15; Neh. 9:6).

4:29-30 | The disciples prayed, not for protection or safety but for greater boldness to preach the Word and for more signs and wonders (Heb. 2:3-4). God authenticated His spokesmen through these supernatural works. We see this pattern all through the Book of Acts.

4:31 | When the Holy Spirit filled the 120 at Pentecost, they spoke in other tongues. Here, they are filled with the Spirit and preach in the common language of the people instead of other tongues – an answer to their prayers. God always supplies what His servants need in the moment.

4:32 | The Jerusalem believers had a very mature view of material possessions: what they possessed was not their own – it all belonged to God (1 Chron. 29:14-16).

4:33 | In spite of the warning from the Sanhedrin, the apostles continued preaching the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, choosing to obey God rather than humans. Their boldness was the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

4:34-37 | The people of the Jerusalem church lived with open hands. From their open hands, others could take what they needed, and into their open hands, God could put more resources to share. A closed hand misses two blessings in life: it can neither enjoy the blessing of giving to others nor receive blessings from a loving God.

4:36-37 | Barnabas is noted here for his generosity in selling a piece of land and giving the money to the church.