Acts 4:23-37 ASSEMBLED TOGETHER When the Lord's people are under pressure from the "powers that be," the "powers of darkness" or those who want them to conform to the wishes of the people, united prayer is the action that needs to be taken. Even as those earlier believers prayed together, there more than just unity in presence, there was unity in praise to God. Their reverential address to God impresses us with the fact that prayer was no casual matter to them. There was not a lot of redundancy in repeating God's name as they prayed, or in the words they used or in the way they addressed God. There was an awareness of the greatness of God and the power of God. They also recognized that in God's sovereign will, He doesn't necessarily remove the problems we are facing. In the unified prayer of these new believers, they were asking for help for themselves to deal with the problem, not necessarily remove it.
The problems that arise in Christian testimony are allowed by God for a reason. We may not know at the time what that reason is. It is enough for us to know that God's "hand and counsel" has already planned the outcome of the event. They knew now it was by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and slain. The outcome of that has been countless blessings that are still going on in the world today. When the apostle Paul was afflicted with a "thorn in the flesh," this was so God's strength would be displayed by his weakness. To follow a set pattern in verbal usage when we pray is not taught in scripture. To acknowledge the holiness, greatness and goodness of God is. It is important that we do not use vain repetition that indicates a lack of thought and exercise in prayer.
Not all prayers are answered in the way we expect. When God answered those believers who were gathered together, there was a physical affirmation that He heard when the place where they had gathered together to pray was shaken. If they were in the temple court it would have affected many beside themselves as those who came and went saw and heard the saints in prayer. If it was in some building there was evidence that God was speaking to His people. Wherever it was, the filling of the Spirit was obvious. For Peter, this was at least the third time he was filled with the Spirit teaching us that such filling is for a specific work at a specific time, not permanently, and is given to enable us to do or say what God wants and is beyond our natural ability.
Spiritual boldness is not reckless in any way. It is not some urgent impulse to drive through obstacles like a bulldozer. It involves the desire for courage that is given by the Holy Spirit. It is courage under divine control that takes advantage of opportunities when they arise. Boldness does not mean we are immune to the fear of rejection or the embarrassment that may come when we are denounced publicly. The response on the part of people will not always be favorable but that is to be expected in anything we may seek to do that is contrary to public opinion. Boldness may involve doing what is right when others are doing what is wrong. Spiritual boldness is needed when we speak up for the Lord while others are demeaning Him and His name. Boldness from God enables us in spite of our fears, to move forward even when we don't know what the outcome will be. There will always be differences of opinions and personality conflicts, but when we are unified in purpose in spite of those differences, and there is love for God, for His people, for lost souls and for the Gospel - those things will not hinder our commitment to be loyal to Him and press on with His work. Unity in the things of God has the potential to allow us to do great things for God.
Great grace among people of divergent personalities and backgrounds enables great power in witnessing for the Lord Jesus. The personal awareness of God at work in my life will lead me to be conscious of needs in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Unity of spirit leads to unity of purpose. Unity of purpose leads to unity in sharing possessions to meet the real needs of others. Some needs may be of physical things to be supplied to help others through crisis times. Other needs may be to supply emotional support when a brother or sister is passing through the deep waters of personal trials. An awareness of what is going on around us in the lives of others is only possible if we are unified and close enough to be of "one accord and one mind." Unity and generosity go together. Those believers in the early church were not commanded to give everything for the common good. They gave what they had from willing hearts to meet the needs as they saw them. it was not a requirement in order to be in the fellowship of the assembly, nor was it to be required as evidence of salvation. This was not the first act of communism as many school teachers tell their students today. This was a voluntary act of genuine caring for the needy that was not imposed on the saints. The distribution of such goods is not an easy task nor a simple matter because not everyone has the same degree of appreciation. The apostles did this at first because they were recognized as leaders and were the ones responsible for the work in general. Lessons for us are to learn the value of unified prayer when we assemble together. There is great power when the Holy Spirit fills a company of saints when they assemble together. There is great grace manifested through God's people toward each other when we are assembled together. Needs of others are met when we assemble together.
When the people of God assemble together, there is much divergency But the amazing evidence of grace is manifested when there is unity. Each one is different with a variety of talents and the unity of God-given gifts That when put together with those of others has power to everyone bless.
When prayer is made there is a common purpose that only when together is filled Alone we are as weak as water on the ground, but together our fears are stilled Because we know the unifying power does not come when the votes are counted But from the Holy Spirit who gives victory when opposition against us is mounted.
The gathering of saints to some people seems to be quite unnecessary Their weakness leads to coldness of heart when at the world's fire they too long tarry In the gathered company of God's people, there is a warmth that is so real
The cold in heart are warmed by grace, and the hurting souls are healed.
The gathered saints know what is needed before many minutes are passed And needs of others can be supplied before any hard questions are asked There is a sense of unity that empowers and cannot really be denied So the awareness of the solution is found, when the problem we do not hide.
When gathered together to preach the Word, one spokesman speaks for all Each one knows what needs to be said when someone privately chooses to call Seeking answers of peace for a soul that is deeply troubled by sin And even at the moment we are alone, we are speaking for all of them.
The gathering together of God's people is even more important now As we approach the time when before the Lord Jesus every knee shall bow We need the fellowship of each other as we go upward against the flow Of those who oppose the Lord Himself, that we God's great grace can show.
"Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for the gathering of Thy people here who are coming together each night to hear Thy Word. Grant Thy servant the right message to speak this day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."