SWP Class 9 Notes - Influence By Apostle's Prayers In ACTSion

Prayer In ACTSion:

Acts shows us the Church in prayer at several points in the narrative.

1. Following the ascension the believers were praying together (1:14);

2. The early church continued steadfastly in prayer (2:42);

3. Peter and John went to the temple at the time of prayer (3:1);

4. During a time of persecution the believers prayed together (4:24);

5. Prayer and the ministry of the Word were the two functions to which the apostles desired to give themselves (6:4),

6. They prayed and laid hands on those who were to relieve them of some of their other responsibilities (6:6);

7. Stephen prayed as he was dying and asked that his persecutors be forgiven (7:59–60);

8. The apostles prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit (8:15);

9. Paul prayed following his conversion (9:11);

10. Peter prayed for the deceased Dorcas (9:40);

11. Cornelius prayed and was heard (10:2, 4, 30–31);

12. Peter was praying when he saw the vision (10:9);

13. The Christians prayed for Peter’s release from prison (12:5);

14.Paul and Barnabas were commissioned with prayer and fasting (13:3),

15.Paul and Barnabus appointed elders with prayer and fasting (14:23);

16.Paul and his companions went to a place of prayer in Philippi (16:13, 16);

17. Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God in prison (16:25);

18. Paul prayed as he took leave of the Ephesian elders (20:36);

19. Paul prayed at the Jerusalem temple (22:17);

20. Prayer was offered in the face of a shipwreck (27:29);

21. Paul effectively prayed for the ill father of Publius on the island of Malta (28:8).

Important Observations About Prayers In ACTSion:

1. Prayer was offered in times of crisis and change.

2. In his Gospel, Luke alone notes that Jesus prayed before choosing his twelve apostles (Luke 6:12).

The Consequences with the Acts 2:42 Prayers

1. Sense of awe (43a).

A newness, a sharp awareness of God at work even with miracles, of wonder at being used by Him was very real to these believers. The spirit of fellowship with God and His people had them feeling they were part of something they did not want to lose. Yet with it was not only a tonic to bless the spirit, but a challenge about work to be done. Peril also was there as the darkness of hostility opposed the light (Jn. 3:19; Acts 2:13; 4:1–3).

2. Signs through the apostles (43b).

These contributed to the awe. God was conspicuously attesting that the doctrine and the changing of lives was from Him. This helped the witnesses gain clout in leading some who heard and saw to salvation (47d). Here was blessed addition, in contrast to sad subtraction from the church as in those who depart into error (1 Jn. 2:19), or even those who are excommunicated (1 Cor. 5).

3. Sharing according to needs (44–45).

Impetus to live in the light of godly values suggests decisions that are sharp and fervent. This even prompts believers to free-hearted sharing of their means to fill in the lack that pinches others’ lives. God’s grace energizing hearts even inspires a selling of land and other possessions to supply in resolving burdens here and also a bit later (4:33–37). Jesus expected that giving in ways that please God will open springs of blessing in things given in return to generous sharers (Lk. 6:38). Paul later assures this to believers (2 Cor. 9:6–11). God had taught in the OT that He would deal His own blessed giving to the giver, even as late as Malachi (3:10–11).

4. Singleness of purpose (46).

Luke depicts the cooperative focus with the same phrase he used in 1:14 for "continually devoting in one mind to prayer.” Now the constant devotion in one mind is in the temple, and this surely is in vital expressions of worship that fit the case. God had approved the temple Solomon dedicated by putting His name and eyes there (1 Kin. 9:5), had the temple be His “house of prayer” (Isa. 56:7), and Jesus called fresh focus to this purpose (Matt. 21:13). Devotion here would be in prayer offering up such aspects as in Acts 2:42.

5. Prayer of the genuineness v. 42

Prayers were a shaping force while sharing meals in different homes, as in many “cottage prayer meetings” since. The scenarios of fellowship were in a mood touched with the scent of joyous gladness in Christ’s adequacy. At the same time believers kept to simplicity, in contrast to being burdened overly by preparation that hindered concentrating on fellowship. Martha in Luke 10 had illustrated the spirit that let busy fuss blur or choke the blessed fragrance of communion.

6. Symphony of adoration (47a).

Prayer is accented here in “praising God,” clearly in a spirit that caught every one of a right outlook to its heartbeat. Praise could have its boost in God saving three thousand in one day and in others capitulating to Christ daily. It has its cue in God giving power, in “many wonders and signs” continuing to stir with blessing (43). How many changes occurred in what people were living for, fruitfulness in salvation, were prompts to adoring God, the transforming One. How many situations of need were being supplied (cf. Phil. 4:19) as God moved givers, and praise ascended with a loveliness like sweet incense rising from off the altar (cf. Ps. 141:2).

7. Support from the people (47b).

Hostile hearts dug in stubbornly to think up ways to be antagonistic. But “all” the people in general, all those being impacted positively by evidence that pointed to God, looked at the believers with favor. These servants of Christ were a wholesome, provocative force, like salt (Matt. 5:16) in society. And this generated good benefits that blessed many. Eyes beheld in a new light, ears listened with a keen attentiveness, hearts opened in an eager receptivity (cf. Jn. 1:12).

8. Salvation of hearers (47c).

With the Spirit giving impact to the believers’ message and to lives that advertised its veracity (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9f), people were being saved. The Lord was using lives that counted to do His arithmetic that matters most, adding new converts, swelling the ranks of those who staked their hopes on Him. In Jesus’ terms, names were being “recorded in heaven” (Lk. 10:20), in what Paul calls “the book of life” (Phil. 4:3). Those saved on earth were signals for angels’ celebrations of joy in heaven (Lk. 15:7, 10).

Prayer Balanced

Prayer is healthy when sensitive hearts keep it in balance with God’s Word, fellowship with the other people of God, and breaking bread in heart-to-heart intimacy. This explains why prayers run aground when people pray but neglect the Word, and why prayers fall flat for those of the “lone wolf” mentality, isolated from God’s people when He wants them to be related. Closeness with other people who are God’s own affects prayer in areas besides just breaking bread. The close tie is true in sending out missionaries (Acts 13:3), in husband and wife sensitivity to share God’s will (1 Pet. 3:7), and in all things God’s people can be together in.