AFTER THE MIRACULOUS HEALING of the lame man, Peter and John were arrested and held by the Temple guard. The next day they were interrogated, and they boldly proclaimed the name and the power of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, without care of reprisal. “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” (Acts 4:19) Excited and empowered by their exercise of faith, “On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.” (Acts 4:23)
It is good for us to reflect upon the acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles—this early testimony calls us to consider the courage and faith that they exhibited as the nascent Church of Jesus Christ was coming into earthly existence. Judaism was the fifteen-hundred-year-old force thoroughly embedded at every level of the nation’s culture, commerce, politics, government, and religion. The Holy Spirit, who had been imparted only to around one hundred twenty souls in the upper room (c.f. Acts 2:1-4) had quickly been energized in multiplied many more as Peter spoke boldly in the Holy City, and “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41) This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the priests, hence the arrest of both Peter and John.
It is here that we begin to see the start of a paradigm shift in religion and faith. How is it possible that the twelve could grow to one hundred twenty to over three thousand, unless by the power of the Holy Spirit? And, how could such a small group of people so incredibly spread this message throughout the world like wildfire unless by that same power? Later in the Book of Acts of the Holy Spirit, we see and hear the legitimate fear of those of the established religion. “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here.” (Acts 17:6b) No one easily accepts their way of life being changed; how much more difficult it is to accept a way of belief being challenged.
As Peter and John continue in their report, all the people present “raised their voices together in prayer to God.” (Acts 4:24) Together, they all praise God; and, together, they have few illusions about the challenges before them. Luke, the earthly author of Acts, makes this clear as he compares the earlier prophecies of David over and against the then-current power structures in Israel. David, king and poet, had written, “Why do the nations rage and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.” (Psa. 2:1-2)
David’s meaning was clear; only God is sovereignly powerful over the affairs of nations, and he appoints and removes kings as he will. (cf. Rom. 13:1) Here, Luke recalls Jesus’ seeming fate at the hands of Pilate and Herod, indeed, at the hands of all in power in the nation’s capital. They had all met with “the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:27) And then Luke makes this pointed remark: “They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” (Acts 4:28) The powers of the world below had only accomplished what the Sovereign Lord desired and permitted for his purposes.
Then Luke underscores the purpose of this scene. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John have withstood the weight of the entire theological power structure of the nation. They need this victory to strengthen their resolve, for more dangerous confrontations will be forthcoming. Using the backdrop of the illustrative current example of Peter and John’s exercised faith, Luke records Peter’s words: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30) And then, as encouragement, example, and instruction, these words are stated for the ages: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)
The insights that scripture gives us to the power of praying in the spirit are precious to us in their instructive sense, but perhaps rebuke us for our lackadaisical practice. Both are necessary. Paul tells us to, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph 6:18) Jude encourages us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20) It is clear that prayer that is not generated by our spiritual connection with God is devoid of power. Just as clearly, that connection is only made by our personal relationship with Jesus.
If there is no power in our prayers—that is, if there are no answers—we should immediately understand that we need to check our relationship with Jesus, the one who teaches us to pray. (c.f. Matt. 6:9-15) If we find there that sin or lack of forgiveness is blocking the door to heaven, we know what we must do. Another place to check is our relationship with our spouse, if married. Though Peter speaks from a male-dominated culture, his advice about respecting our marriage relationships must be heeded, “so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Pet. 3:7)
Repentance is always key to initial salvation, and it remains key to the receiving and refreshing of the Holy Spirit that is essential to our daily walk. The presence of the Holy Spirit is always directly linked to the triune God. Note these words of Jesus: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
It is the Holy Spirit who gave Peter and John the courage to face the Sanhedrin. He is the power of the fervent prayer life of the early believers. He is what empowered the early church, and caused the Church of Jesus Christ to spread around the world and across the centuries, and he now empowers our lives. May we be filled and refilled and continually refreshed in the Holy Spirit through our faith in Jesus. May our prayers be answered accordingly.
Q. Do my prayers get answers?
Leave a Reply