Lesson Eight: The Church Prays

Acts 4:23-37

Key Verse

"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word."

— Acts 4:29 Textual Questions Read Acts 4:23-37

Lesson Questions

Read Acts 4:23-37 carefully before answering these questions.

1. When the council released Peter and John, what did they do? 4:23

2. What was done next? How did they address God? 4:24

3. From whom did they quote? What did he say? 4:25-26

4. Who was gathered together against God's anointed? Why? 4:27-28

5. What requests did they make of God? 4:29-30

6. Then what happened? 4:31

7. Describe the conditions prevailing among the believers. 4:32

8. What were the apostles doing? What was upon them all? 4:33

9. Were there any needy among them? Why? 4:34-35

10. What is said of the next person to whom we are introduced? 4:36

11. What did he do? 4:37

Thought Questions

A. "They," "their own company," and "multitude of them that believe" refer to whom?

B. List the things for which they prayed. For what did they not pray?

C. Did God answer their prayer?

D. Note: "Messiah" and "Christ" both mean "anointed." With what had God anointed Jesus? When? Give scriptural proof.

E. From 4:23-37, list the things God is said to have done.

F. What effect did this first persecution have upon the church? Was it good for the church?

G. List the things the apostles have been doing up to this point.

Supplementary Materials

Anatomy of the Church's Prayer When Peter and John reported to the church, the believers responded with united prayer. This prayer provides a model for how Christians should respond to persecution:

Verses	Element	Content
4:24a	Address	"Lord" (Greek: Despota — Sovereign Master, absolute ruler)
4:24b	Acknowledgmen	God as Creator of heaven, earth, sea, and
t	all that is in them
4:25-26	Scripture	Quoted Psalm 2:1-2 — opposition to God and His Anointed
4:27-28	Application	Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, and Jews fulfilled the prophecy against Jesus
4:29-30	Requests	(1) Behold their threats, (2) Grant boldness to speak, (3) Stretch out Your hand to heal, signs, and wonders

What They Did NOT Pray For Notice what is absent from this prayer:

They did NOT pray for the persecution to stop
They did NOT pray for protection or safety
They did NOT pray for revenge on their enemies
They did NOT complain or ask "Why us?"
They did NOT ask to escape the situation

Instead, they prayed for boldness to keep doing exactly what had gotten them in trouble! This reveals a faith that trusts God's sovereignty and prioritizes the mission over personal comfort.

God's Answer to Their Prayer God's response was immediate and powerful (4:31):

What Happened	Significance
"The place was shaken"	Physical confirmation that God heard and acted
"They were all filled with the Holy Ghost"	Divine empowerment for the task ahead
"They spake the word of God with	Direct answer to their specific request
boldness"	(4:29)

"Messiah" and "Christ": The Anointed One Both "Messiah" (Hebrew) and "Christ" (Greek) mean "anointed one." In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil to set them apart for service. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit:

Reference	What It Teaches
Isaiah 61:1	"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me..." (prophecy)
Luke 4:18-21	Jesus read Isaiah 61 and declared: "This day is this scripture fulfilled" (application)
Acts 10:38	"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power" (Peter's declaration)
Matt. 3:16-17	At Jesus' baptism: "the Spirit of God descending like a dove" (the event)

Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and marking the beginning of His public ministry. He is Prophet, Priest, and King — all offices that required anointing.

Unity and Generosity in the Early Church Verses 32-35 describe remarkable conditions among the believers:

"Of one heart and of one soul" — Complete unity of purpose and affection
"Neither said any... that ought... was his own" — A spirit of sharing, not selfishness
"They had all things common" — Voluntary sharing to meet needs
"Great power... great grace" — Divine blessing on the apostles' witness
"Neither was there any among them that lacked" — Practical benevolence at work

This was not mandatory communism but voluntary generosity. Property was sold "as every man had need" (4:35) — distribution was based on need, not equal shares. The selling was voluntary (as Acts 5:4 makes clear), motivated by love for one another.

Introducing Barnabas: "Son of Consolation" The chapter closes by introducing a man who will become a major figure in Acts: Detail Information Given name Joses (Joseph) Surname by apostles Barnabas = "Son of Consolation" (or "Son of Encouragement") Tribe Levite (the priestly tribe) Origin "Of the country of Cyprus" — a large island in the Mediterranean First action recorded Sold land and gave the money to the apostles for distribution

Barnabas will appear again in Acts:

9:27 — Introduces the converted Saul to the apostles
11:22-26 — Sent to Antioch; brings Saul from Tarsus
13-14 — Travels with Paul on the first missionary journey
15:36-39 — Parts from Paul over John Mark; takes Mark to Cyprus

Key Cross-References

Reference	Acts Verse	Connection
Psalm 2:1-2	Acts 4:25-26	Nations rage against the Lord and His Anointed
Luke 23:1-12	Acts 4:27	Herod and Pilate involved in Jesus' trial
Acts 2:44-45	Acts 4:32-35	Parallel description of early church sharing
2 Cor. 8:1-5	Acts 4:34-37	Generosity that gives beyond ability
Col. 4:10	Acts 4:36	Mark was Barnabas's cousin

Note: The contrast between Barnabas (end of chapter 4) and Ananias/Sapphira (beginning of chapter 5) is deliberate. One gave generously and honestly; the others gave deceitfully. The consequences were dramatically different.