After many threatenings…
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:17-18
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go… Acts 4:21
Peter and John returned…
to the company of believers…
and gave a report…
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 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… Acts 4:23-24
They lifted up their voice…
With one consent…
Unto the Living God …
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 4:29 -30
And God harkened unto their petition…
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 4:31
And filled them afresh…
with power and boldness…
For His service and for His testimony!
In a short span of time…
the church had grown …
into a multitude!
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32
United in heart and soul…
They had all things common…
And walked in LOVE…
Ministering to the needs of one another…
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:34-35
And God was pleased…
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
Empowered. Entwined. Benevolent. Bold.
United as one voice…
They prayed!
United as one heart…
They gave!
United as one body…
They turned the world up-side-down!
To the Glory of God alone!
Praise Him!
We should do likewise.
I have been studying the book of Acts recently, and I hate to say it... but I am so SHOCKED by the love and generosity I witness among the church in the book of Acts versus the bickering and backbiting in the modern church today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for another great post!
Raquel
Oh how we must strive to return to the Biblical pattern of Christianity. How far have we fallen from the standards that God set forth for His people when He established the body of Christ upon this earth. We SHOULD be a bright, shining light...reflecting His character to the world...
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