Missional Living – To Boldly Go! Part 2 (Acts 4:23-31)

²⁴ So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ ²⁷ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

The followers of Jesus are not confused by recent events. They are not tossed about by adversity and left to wonder about what is happening. Both the apostles and the people being discipled know exactly what is going on. There are two reasons for their sound understanding of their circumstances. First, Jesus told them these things would happen (Matthew 5:11-13; 10:23; 23:34; Luke 21:12; John 15:20) . Second, they have learned to see life through the lens of Scripture; they have a biblical world view. As they review the recent persecution of their Rabbi they realize, owing to the Spirit’s leading, that it was all according to plan. Here is what they see in Psalm 2 and recent events:

• Why did the nations rage? – The apostles and their companions can see that two nations have been enraged: (1) the nation of Israel and (2) the Gentiles as seen in the shared role in mocking (Matthew 20:19; 27:29, 41; Mark 10:34), scourging, and crucifying Jesus.
• And the people plot vain things? – After the raising of Lazarus the Jews began to plot how they might put Jesus to death (John 11:45-53; Matthew 26:4).
• The kings of the earth took their stand – King Herod, knowing that he had no right to the throne and fearing the rise of the promised Messiah, took His stand against the Christ in two ways. He murdered the herald and then consented to the mistreatment and murder of the actual King of the Jews – Jesus.
• And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ – The rulers conspired together against Jesus both in their plotting and in their unjust punishing of Jesus.

This part of their prayer comes from God by the mouth of [His] servant David. They not only see through the lens of Scripture (Acts 4:27-28) they pray using the words of God Himself.

Persecution of the early church drove it not to programs, petitions, or powerful politicians but to prayer. They went to God Himself. In the wake of threats they threw themselves before the throne of grace pleading for help with the words of God Himself. Our prayers will have more weight when we follow their example and pray to God Himself with the words of God Himself.

Notice their perspective on persecution: It was ordained by God (Acts 4:27). David also had this perspective when he was being wrongfully accused or mistreated by his enemies (2 Samuel 16:10-11).

People with the vision and mission of Messiah see meaning in the meanness of the crowd. Their focus is not on the cursing but on a character that honors God in the moment. And just as David did not retaliate or revile his persecutors, and as Jesus did not rail against those who were jeering, the early church did not pray for harm on their enemies. They prayed for (1) boldness in their mission as witnesses (Acts 1:8) and (2) backing through signs and wonders that would help their adversaries to believe.

Questions for Consideration

1. Do I have a biblical world view? That is, do I look at events through the lens of what God’s word says? Am I able to assess a situation in the light of precedents and principles found in the Bible?
2. When I am being persecuted or wrongfully treated, do I consider the possibility that the other person is being used by God to accomplish something in His good plan?