THE POWER AND MIRACLE OF PRAYER: The Apostles Prayers For Boldness: A Model For The Saints Acts 4: 2

Nov. 22, 2009 - PRLog -- In the name of God Master, of the Universe, Ruler of the earth

Editors Note: Beloved sadly few come today speaking boldly for the Lord. Most in the various church houses speak loudly for money and the lie regarding the Jewish system of “Tithing” that Jesus Christ removed when he hung, bled and died on the cross.
“There were once more than once two men. Both men jumped from airplanes. One man examined his parachute not at the time when he would jump. He also relied on a make-shift, moon-lighting fixer that worked under a shattered shade tree as he tampered with the soil.
However the other man relied on the manufacturer (Creator) for any help he needed regarding the safety of his sky jumping equipment. He also prayed to God for his safe arrival back to earth on his feet and not his belly.
John now fixed in his mind on what would eventually happen to anybody that put more trust in man than in God. Did the man who relied on those that worked under shade-less trees fear speaking up for the Lord? Are many people that profess to be saved (Christians) afraid of man, Pastors or church leaders thus they remain silent in quiet approval and will not speak up for the Lord or self. Where did this attitude come from? We say again once more than once, those that are saved are removed from the fear of Preachers or any man in the flesh. God our Father is all knowing and we speak boldly and make an on-going testimony for the Lord. God is to be worshipped and praised and not man.”



Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. To the Church (the Church of Christ Jesus the Prophets and Apostles) and believing Christians everywhere. To those that believe in the Bible (the Spirit of God) as the supreme authority that governs all of humankind. In this we give thanks to God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit that leads and guides us the straightway.

We (FreedomJournal as we speak) also pray as did the Apostles. We pray for boldness in our endeavors to testify on behalf of the Lord and the brethren that liveth.  But why should the believers be bold in their prayers and testimony? Is a fearless and brazen attitude outside the will of God? What of the confidence of the saints as they lift up Jesus? At the 4th Division of Acts we see the Apostles Peter and John in conflict with the Sanhedrin at verses 1-22. However at verses 23-31 we see where they pray for boldness. Our primary scripture is taken from verses 24-33. But we will note verses 24, 30 and 31.

Acts 4: 24: “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:”

The persecution of the Apostles was carried out by the lost and the Sanhedrin. But none of the reports of actions against them discouraged them because the record shows that their faith gained strength. They also came together rejecting discord as they came together in one accord. Then they offered a prayer to God who they testified as the Creator of all things.

There are several prominent cross references that will allow us to better understand the thought expressed here at Acts 4: 24. At Exodus 20: 11 and the commandments that relate to God we see that the Lord is the Creator as He made the heaven and earth and all there is. At Psalms 103:1 we see David expressing the love and blessing due the Lord. At Psalms 107: 1 “Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”  And Psalms 146: 6: “Which made heaven, and earth, the sea and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.” Also see II Kings 19: 15 where Hezekiah prays that all kingdoms know that God is the one and only God.

Acts 4: 30: “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

Here we find the Apostles asking the Lord to confirm their preaching by a miraculous demonstration of power. They also wished this to be done in the name of Jesus. For the record they had been forbidden to call out the name of Jesus by the Sanhedrin.  We now turn to several cross references where we see the evidence of the miraculous.

Acts 5: 12: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.”

The New Testament had not been written at this time. The people had no written instructions. Thus this was a time of many signs and wonders as God demonstrated his Supreme power by allowing the Apostles to perform miracles. But what of today? Are there any blessed with the miraculous power during these times? All of the Apostles have passed on. Was this power only meant for them? What about the power and miracle of prayer? Does God then work differently now as to His miracles than He did during the times of the Apostles? (Also see Acts 3: 6, 16).

Now for our final scripture taken from our primary verses noted at Acts 4: 31: “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.” (Also see Acts 2: 2, 4 where we see the coming of the Holy Spirit during the time of Pentecost).

For our purposes we note that during the days of miracles God often answered prayers with a physical demonstration or by some means in which one was able to discern reality by his own senses. This is such a time as the Holy Ghost descends on the brethren.

At Acts 16: 26 we see another instance where a physical demonstration was noted after a prayer. At verses 25-34 we see where the Philippian jailor is converted. However verses 25-26 shows the sign or wonder regarding the previous prayers. Look closely: “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

Finally look with us to a scripture noted at Philippians. Here we see that the persecution, chains and other attempts to halt the Gospel only served to strengthen Paul as he spoke boldly regardless of the circumstances.

Philippians 1 14: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more boldly to speak the word without fear.”

Did Paul did set the precedents for those in the faith to speak boldly for the Lord regardless of the circumstances? Will the true saints find no voice regarding their on-going testimony during trying times? When will the loudest voices for the Lord be heard?

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