Their Own Company

Acts 4:23-31

Persecution is real and it is becoming a greater reality for Christians in America. Governments have used the coronavirus lockdowns to target churches. Christians have been arrested for violating "social-distancing guidelines", while "protestors" from approved groups are left alone. In Nevada, casinos were allowed to open while churches were ordered to remain closed. Sadly, if the election goes the way it appears to be going, we will see an increase in this persecution.

More than ever we should be paying attention to how the early church responded to persecution. What did they do? How did they respond? What actions did they take? Then, we need to follow their example.

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And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4: 23-31

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As I read this text, the first thing I see is that Peter and John went to church. No, they did not go to a building. Americans need to get away from the concept of "church" being a building. The church is people. Peter and John gathered with the other Christians in Jerusalem.

Second, we see that they praised God. They acknowledged him as Creator of Heaven and earth. As such, they were saying that He is sovereign over His creation. They also recognized His Omniscience. He spoke through His servant David not only of events for that time, but the saying was prophetic of events that were future from the time of David.

Third, we see that they presented their problem to God. Even though David's words were about his current situation, it also applied to what Jesus had gone through, and what the disciples were currently enduring. The evil people of the world were fighting against them, and therefore, were fighting against God.

Next, we see that they prayed for boldness. Their goal was not to escape persecution but to endure and overcome. They wanted to proclaim the name of Jesus in the midst of the persecution and in spite of the persecution.

Finally, they prayed that the works they did would be done in the name of Jesus and that God would use them to accomplish great things. We should pray for the same. We should desire for God to do great things through us so that the name of Jesus is glorified. We know that God answered this prayer from the record of the rest of Acts and from church history.

In verse 31, we read that God acknowledged their prayer by the place shaking, their being filled with the Holy Ghost, and their speaking the word of God with boldness. We should want to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We should both pray for and work for this filling. By work, I mean by regular prayer, study, and communion with God. Then, no matter what persecution or trials come, we too will proclaim the name of Jesus boldly.

Father, fill me with your Spirit. May I boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. Let His holy name be preached among the heathen, no matter the cost.