Acts 4-5: Response to Persecution (Sunday, Sept 28)

During our time in the Word Sunday morning, we examined the response of the believers to the persecution that came upon them for proclaiming the Gospel in the name of the Lord Jesus, specifically in chapters 4 and 5 of Acts.

Here, we see the promised work of the Holy Spirit continue.  As Peter is filled with the Spirit, he is enabled to speak boldly concerning the Lordship of Jesus.  As Peter puts it, “We cannot stop speaking about these things”!

My friends, I am overjoyed to know that the promised Holy Spirit enables the people of God to speak with such boldness.  I am thankful as I see the desire for evangelism nourished among us.  But let us not cease seeking this power.  May we be transformed by the Spirit so that we not only desire to proclaim the Gospel, but we cannot stop speaking it!

The persecution upon these believers drove them to prayer.  Not in prayer to avoid persecution (for this persecution was actually predestined by God), but a prayer for God’s strength to overcome in the midst of persecution.  As such, these believers immediately thought (and prayed) of Psalm 146 and Psalm 2.

Why do the nations rage?  Why do we fear men?

God has given us victory in Jesus the Messiah.  He is ruling at the right hand as his enemies are being made a footstool for his feet.  We are His servants.

Father, grant to us boldness.  Give us your Holy Spirit’s wonderful power that we may be your witnesses in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.