Study 10. Acts 4:23-31

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 6. How do the believers respond to the Sanhedrin’s threats (see 4:23-31)? 
They 'went to their friends' (v.23), reported what had happened
Prayed (v.24), quoted Scripture (v.25), reviewed past events in the light of God's purposes (v.27)
Asked for boldness and power (v.30)
 
7. What do they confess about God? Write down as many observations as you can (see 4:24-30).
God is sovereign (v.24]
He made the heaven, earth, sea and everything in them (v.24)
Spoke through the Spirit through David (v.25a)
Opposed by kings and rulers (v.26)
Anointed Jesus (i.e. made Him Messiah) (v.26-27)
Had a plan fulfilled by wicked people (v.28)
Knows the evil of men (v.29a)
Grants boldness to speak His word (v.29b)
Heals and perform miracles in Jesus' name (v.30)
Gives visible evidence of answered prayer in shaking and speech of the apostles (v.31)

8. What do they ask God to do (see 4:29-30)? 
 Look at the threats of the authorities (v.29a)
Grant boldness to speak (v.29b)
Show His power (v.30)
 
For Thought and Discussion: How can we be sure we are correct when we believe that a command of God authorizes us to disobey leaders? What would you do to verify such a belief? 
We must 'judge' for ourselves (v.19) 
There must be certainty about what God's voice is saying as we 'listen' to Him. This is most clear in Scripture. 
What we believe should be based on objective fact ('what we have seen and heard') (v.20a)
and subjective compulsion/conviction ('we cannot but speak') (v.20b)
We must rest on  our communion with Jesus (v.13b) (or go to seek counsel from people who are close to Jesus) and objective evidence of His power working through us ('seeing the man who was healed standing beside them') (v.14)
 
For Thought and Discussion: Luke doesn’t record any pleas for protection in 4:24-30. Why do you think the believers apparently didn’t make any? 
They were prepared to suffer and die because Jesus had told them their eternal destiny was secure (Lk 21:18)
They had a sense that the purposes of God would go on regardless of personal safety.
They had the example of their suffering Lord. 
They knew that God was sovereign 
 
Optional Application: How can you apply the attitudes in 4:24-30 to your own prayer life? 
 I can ask for God's boldness and power. I can seek the fellowship of like-minded Christians with the same purpose and outlook on life.i can seek greater purpose. 
 
For Thought and Discussion: Compare 4:29-30 to 5:12-16. Was the believers’ prayer answered? in your judgment, would such a prayer be answered today? Why or why not? 
 Ah - cessationism vs. continuationism!
But the prayer would be answered. Not necessarily in the same way. God always answers prayer made in His will. 

 
For Thought and Discussion: Observe how the public regarded the believers and why (5:12-16). Is this at all relevant to the church today? How, or why not? 
 The people did not dare to join them but held them in high esteem. They sought the power of the apostles.
Mostly relevant - the standards of the church should be high enough to discourage membership, the church should be well-regarded, and people should know that the church is a place of power. Instead, the church is like a costless social club thought to be filled with hypocrites.
 
For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think the Sadducees responded to the miracles with “jealousy” (5:17; compare 5:28)? Do you have any similar tendency in you? 
 They had not believed in miracles, and they felt that this pointed out their wrongdoing/guilt in crucifying Jesus.

9. What attitudes, priorities, and feelings does the prayer in 4:24-30 reflect?
Dependence/submission on God
Acknowledgement of His sovereignty over events past present and future
Unconcern about personal survival. A servant attitude 
Focus on God's mission

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