Acts 4 "Desperate Times"

Acts 4 – Brandon Hatmaker “Desperate Times”
Wednesday, April 16, 2008



“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Acts 4:8-10

I’m struck by Peter’s boldness. Not long after Jesus’ death, he not only spoke of Jesus’ resurrection… He proclaimed it boldly. He proclaimed Jesus as Savior. He proclaimed Jesus as healer. We know they spoke with a courage that could only come from someone convinced that whom they spoke of was who he said he was. Verse 13 says that, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Peter and John’s lives were literally on the line… yet they spoke the truth with great confidence. They no longer saw the sting in death. They saw the significance of eternity.

These were desperate times. They required bold measures. All believers rallied around the truth of Christ. Under great adversary and attack, they remained the course. They truly lived their faith to the fullest extent. Verses 32-35 paint a picture of what it was like, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

It hit me for the first time as I read this scripture. These first generation Christians lived exactly Jesus’ prayer for them in the garden (John 17:23). Jesus knew they would have to become one in spirit in order to survive. He prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Jesus prayed clearly that they would be brought to complete unity specifically that others would believe. Obviously, they were brought to unity, and obviously many believed. Verse 4 says, “But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.” God knows exactly what He’s doing.

Father, I believe. Help me in areas of unbelief. You have done and will do exactly what you said you would do. Thank you. I gain such great confidence in seeing even those who once denied you, three times at that, now standing and willing to give up their lives to proclaim you. In your greatness, God, you shaped them into the men you wanted them to be. And through the Spirit, they would initiate the first generation of the New Testament Church. In many ways, we deny you daily. Shape us so that in your Church today, we might live with any measure, that kind of fervor.