Acts 4;31-33 (KJV)
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.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Today's encouragement is concerning our need to shine, individually.
As you can tell from the text that this power given unto the apostles, and all that were gathered there with them, came after the group prayed. It is only right to speak about the circumstances that preceded this moment. Peter and John were preaching to some people when they were "obtained" by the priests, captain of the temple, and the Sadducees; all leaders within the Jewish tradition (Acts 4;1-3). As they were held and questioned concerning their "power" to preach and teach Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to boldly speak of Jesus Christ. (Sidenote: This is another one of those instances where I express my own awareness of being somewhat like Peter: Bold and Unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) Now after these individuals couldn't find any fault with Peter and John, they released them and this is where we pick up in today's encouragement.
See, Peter and John went back to their fellow disciples, friends, and all present, reporting what had occurred and then giving praise and honor to God they began to pray, as the scriptures record, "they lifted up their voice to God with one accord" (Acts 4;23-30). It is this 'one accord' that must be understood, by us: if we are to gain power over some of these issues that plague us; in and outside of the church; the building. Just as these individuals thought nothing of themselves, or their possessions, to section them up, they stood as 'one heart' and 'one soul'.
I would need to breakdown the three words within this morning's text for you. That way we will get an even better understanding about how we, the 'body' of Christ, can and must find our way to being on one accord.
In verse 31, we see that the place they were gathered togethe in was shook as a result of them praying. Let's see what the writer was expressing through that word 'prayed'.
Prayed: In the Greek; deomai (deh'-om-ahee): to beg [as binding oneself], as in petition. It's root word, deo (deh'-o), is used literally or figuratively, as to bind; think knitted together, interwoven, tied up together.
So we already see the positioning of these people as they get before the Lord. Next we look to their way of thought, heartwise.
In verse 32, we are told that this 'multitude' were of one heart and soul because they believed.
Believed: In the Greek; pisteuo (pist-yoo'-o): to have faith: in a person or thing. To give credit to, put your trust with. At it's base, peitho (pi'-tho), we see this faith, or credit, in Christ Jesus is due to conviction; a confidence by way of convincing words or evidence.
Is this becoming clear? Can you see how this group, and perhaps your congregation, are able to gain access to this 'power' to not only shake the place but boldly speak the Word of God: no matter who they are? This cuts right at individualism within a corporate body. What is necessary for us to see; to get the lid on this issue is these people's willingness to stick together, as a body, and not allow room for the individualism. How is that done?
In verse 32 as well, we see that these individuals struck self out by one group agreement. They had all things common: not thinking of what they possessed as being their own.
Common: In the Greek; koinos (koy-nos'): Probably derived from sun (soon), which is a word that denotes union with or togetherness; by way of association, compaionship, or process. And koinos means shared by all. Think about your congregation and it's shared belief in Christ Jesus: thus all of what you have, possessions and all, are common. No one has anything more (value or amount) than the next.
Is it clear now? When we, the children of God, bond together and truly see ourselves as Brothers and Sisters: to not have no more than the next, because we hold our position of belief in Christ Jesus; that he is owner of it all. And with our entire heart, love each other: to knit ourselves together in one jubilant effort of seeking all of what God has for us to perform; as one body.... the POWER that would be released will not only shake the place we would gather, but it will send signal to all around that Christ is present. Present to accomplish everything that is to be performed through that corporate body.
Stay encouraged Brother and Sisters. Know that when you submit to what Christ is performing through your congregation, you shall receive exactly what is to be had; to accomplish what His will is to be. Praying for all of you.
Holla,
Yer Brova Catalyst
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