#10 (Acts
4:23-31) The Provision of the Spirit
In this study we will see how the anointing for ministry centers on the
person of Jesus. This is study #10 - Acts
4:23-31 The Provision of
the Spirit.
Acts
4:23,24:
"When they had been released, they went to their own companions
and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one
accord and said, 'O Lord, it is you who made the haven and the earth
and all the sea, and all that is in them...'"
Keep in mind the Jewishness of this band of believers. As they lifted
their voices to God, they made them appeal according to the prophets.
And they did it with one mind. What did the prophets say?
Moses said, "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the
earth,
the sea and all that is in them..." (Exo20:22)
David said, "[The Lord] made heaven and earth, the sea and all
that is
in them; who keeps faith forever..." (Psalm
146:6)
Nehemiah said, "You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens,
the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on
it,
the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and the
heavenly host bows down before You." (Neh
9:6)
Remind God of His Word
These early believers knew how to appeal to God by aligning
themselves with the sacred Writ. There is an ancient prophecy what
tells us to remind God of His Word. Listen with your heart:
"On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day
and
all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no
rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and
makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isaiah
62:6,7)
This prophecy may seem strange to us, but it shows the working
relationship between our prayers and God. As for making Jerusalem a
praise in the earth, this is something that we Christians should never
forget. God's work of salvation in Messiah, begins and ends in
Jerusalem. (First and second coming.)
John said, "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down
out
of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband."
(Rev
21:2)
The band of disciples continue their petition to God.....
Vs25:
"Who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David
Your servant, said, 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise
futile things?'"
Psalms: The Book About Living a Spirit-Filled Life
Before we go further, let me share something about the writings of
David. David was one of the greatest writing prophets of the Old
Testament. And the book of Psalms, which was written largely by
David, was given for a particular purpose. It became the national
prayer book of Israel. It is filled with prophecies and promises
The intent of this book is to teach God's people how to think, what to
believe, and how to pray. Its purpose is to instill covenant thinking in
the hearts and minds of those who belong to the Lord. On top of that,
Psalms is the only book mentioned in the new covenant writings that is
specifically said to connect with living a Spirit-filled life.
Listen to Paul: "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is
dissipation,
but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in PSALMS and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart
to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." (Eph5:18-20)
This instruction
given by Paul was well-known by the Jewish believers. It was part of
their heritage.
Let's come back to our setting ....
In verses 26-27,
the believers quote from Psalm
2. What I would like
now is for you to see this Psalm in its entirety. In it you will see the
first
and second coming of Jesus, and a great many other things. Take
time to meditate on it:
Meditate on Psalm 2
Psalm
2:1: "Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising
a vain thing?"
Psalm
2:2: "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take
counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,"
Psalm
2:3: "Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords
from us!"
Psalm
2:4: "He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at
them."
Psalm
2:5: "Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in
His fury, saying,"
Psalm
2:6: "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy
mountain." (Day of Pentecost)
Psalm
2:7: "I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to
Me,
'You are My Son, today I have begotten You." (New creation.)
Psalm
2:8: "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your
inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession."
(Jesus said, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth...)
Psalm
2:9: "'You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter
them like earthenware.'" (Second coming.)
Psalm
2:10: "Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning,
O judges of the earth." (An appeal to surrender. Why be destroyed?)
Psalm
2:11: "Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with
trembling." (A call to godliness.)
Psalm
2:12: "Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and
you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed
are all who take refuge in Him!" (The wrath of God is a theme that
belongs to the second coming, but includes what is called the 'great
tribulation.')
Notice it says, "How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!"
This is all
believers from all times, who truly trust in and look to God's Messiah.
Moses adds some awesome insight here. He said, "Lord, You have
been our dwelling place in all generations." (Psalm
90:1 - This is
another awesome Psalm that would bear close meditation.)
Back to our study Scriptures. Notice how these believers attribute Psalm
2, directly to Jesus Christ.
Acts
4:27: "For truly in this city there were gathered together
against
Your holy servant [or 'Child'] Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod
and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of
Israel..."
Notice that the disciples let no one off the hook. They name those who
were responsible for the crucifixion; Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, Israel.
God's Redemption Program
Vs28:
"...to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to
occur."
Here is a valuable lesson. The early Jewish believers never for one
moment felt that things were out of control. They believed that God's
redemption program had been laid out in eternity, and that redemption
had a beginning place and an ending place. What do you believe?
Now listen to how they conclude their petition to the throne of God:
Vss29,30:
"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that
Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while
You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place
through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."
What elements undergird their praying? First they appeal to the
prophetic word. And, secondly, they appeal to the glory of Jesus
Christ. There is no self-gratification here. They are praying for the
advancement of the kingdom of God's Son.
The Result?
What is the result? ....
Vs31:
"And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered
together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak the word of God with boldness."
Notice:
(1) They had prayed. (Totally one in purpose and prayer.)
(2) They had gathered together. (There is a special promise given
when God's people gather, that, believe it or not, is not available
otherwise. The ancients spoke of it as the Shekinah.)
(3) The place was shaken. (This shows once again the intensity of the
Holy Spirits involvement in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.)
(4) They were ALL filled. (Again we see the awesome power of
agreement in the Spirit. "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a
hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall
before you by the sword." Lev
26:8)
(5) Began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Here we see the
true purpose of a Spirit-filled life. It is to give the testimony of
Jesus.)
To complete this study, I want to bring you back to the title, that is,
the
provision of the Spirit. The apostle calls attention to how God works in
our lives through prayers and the Spirit. Here it is:
"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through
your
prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Phil1:19)
The study is open. Feel free to comment or ask questions.
Previous: #09b - A Couple More Curiosities - From the Old Testament - A Follow-up
Next: #10a (Acts 4:23-31) The Provision of the Spirit (Follow-up)
This study on
Acts was originally part of a
series on the book of Acts given to members of
Hebraic Foundations from July 10, 2002 through January 19, 2003.
They were written by Pastor Buddy Martin, Founder and Senior Pastor of
Christian Challenge International.
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