Abstract
Courageous and Valorous Witness of the Resurrection
Have you ever been tasked to accomplish something, yet your heart was not wholly committed to the undertaking? Maybe perhaps being assigned responsibility for something that does not appear purposeful. Certainly, we could all recall halfhearted effort from a lack of commitment. By contrast, Acts 4 depicts the early Christians as entirely obedient to God, and also unreservedly devoted to their commissioning (cf. vv. 19–20, 31). Peter and John courageously proclaimed salvation exclusively ‘by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene’ (vv. 10, 12). Despite the opposition they received, Peter and John prayed with confidence that the omnipotent, sovereign God—who made everything—would hear and answer their petitions (vv. 24–30). Not only were the early Christians valorous in prayer and speaking, but also they were courageous in their generosity (vv. 32–35).
The community of believers was increasing rapidly (2:47), which meant economic needs were also enlarged. In answer to the prayer of 4:24–30, ‘they were all filled with the Holy Spirit’ and boldly spoke God’s Word (v. 31). The filling of the Holy Spirit was evident in the voluntary sharing that accompanied the divine work (vv. 32–34). The believers voluntarily sold property and brought the sales proceeds to the apostles (v. 34). No coercion was involved (cf. 5:4); rather, everything was done voluntarily, and with consideration of the circumstances wherein many were deprived of their livelihoods because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:1–5; Rom 15:26).
Not only were the believers united in ‘heart and soul’ (Acts 4:32), but also they were unselfish (vv. 34–35). God’s people recognized they were stewards of their possessions, and their generosity was so great ‘there was not a needy person among them’ (v. 34). When the Lord’s people act courageously and valorously—by divine enabling (which is also evident in biblical prayers based upon the sovereignty of God)—they are able to overcome difficulties and to care for the community of believers. The type of boldness depicted in Acts 4 is such that can accomplish radical transformation personally and even nationally.
Acts 4 demonstrates a unified church: ‘of one heart and soul’ (v. 32). Unity is highly esteemed in present times. In our communities and nations today, there is often great polarization, which should make us value harmony and unity even more. Sometimes it makes us recollect times when communal and national unity was a more common experience (and even among those who trust in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior). You know what marvelous blessing unity is, if you have been among a church that has been blessed with a genuine experience of the communion of the saints. If you have been a member of a group wherein there was dissention, disunity, and disagreement, then you know personally that it is a great blessing to experience unity.
David addressed the subject of unity in Psalm 133. The psalm can be divided into three parts celebrating the blessings of peace and unity. Initially, David tells us in verse 1 that two qualities characterize unity: ‘How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.’ In other words, David said it is not just pleasant (i.e., not merely pleasing to experience unity), it is truly good. Psalm 133:1 emphasizes the fact that unity is good and pleasant, and not something to assume will occur naturally.
Secondly, Psalm 133 provides two illustrations of unity in verses 2 and 3. The first illustration is derived from the priesthood and the sacrificial ritual. ‘It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.’ The illustration then changes to a picture of flourishing plants and fauna (even situated in an arid plain) because of substantial dew. God outpoured plentiful dews that blessed Mount Hermon. The two illustrations depict the blessing of unity. Thirdly, and finally, in verse 3, we see that God outpours unity; he initiates it, and (as a gift) outpours unity on his people. The blessing that God outpours is unity, and unity also is a blessing that he outpours.
Sin creates disunity and can easily destroy unity. The greatest disunity is that of fallen humanity in being alienated and separated from God. The good news is that reconciliation can be experienced because of God’s provision in Christ Jesus. At the time of the sinner’s conversion, he or she is changed, which results in divine peace and unity. Reconciliation was unnecessary for God in his affections toward fallen humanity because ‘while we were yet sinners’ he sent his Son to die for us (Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10). God needed propitiation in order to be merciful, without compromising his holiness and justice.
The New Testament refers to the wrath of God as necessitating propitiation, which must be rendered to the justice and law of God, and was truly accomplished by the substitutionary work of Christ, who rendered complete satisfaction on behalf of all for whom he died, those whose guilt and sin offended the Lord God. The word ‘propitiation’ indicates that God was truly appeased through the death of Christ, so that those for whom Jesus is their ‘Advocate’, they not only have their sins forgiven (expiated) but also are not regarded as under the righteous wrath of God (propitiation). First John 1 emphasizes the necessity for cleansing, fellowship, and forgiveness, which is through the Advocate, the ‘propitiation’ for the world’s sins (1 John 2:1–2). Due to the guilt of the entire world, the ‘Advocate with the Father’ pleads on behalf of those whom ‘propitiation’ for their sin has been made. Jesus Christ is the ‘propitiation’ for believers only. The foundational truth of the gospel message is that only God can bear and remove the consequences of human sin that results in separation from him. By grace (because only Christ can effect reconciliation), God provided an ‘Advocate’, with whom a relationship may commence solely by faith/trust.
The Lord Jesus brings a message of peace and reconciliation based upon his atoning sacrifice (John 20:19–23). However, keeping ‘doors’ shut will not grant you peace, nor can they stop or hinder the resurrected Lord. Jesus tenderly removes any doubts and unbelief to his power (vv. 24–29). While none can see the risen Lord or feel his wounds (unlike the eyewitnesses, John 20:19–31; 1 John 1:1–4), the Word of God abides to assure believers (vv. 9, 30–31). Signs are unnecessary when your faith wavers. God’s Word—the Holy Bible—is sufficient to reassure you. When the Lord’s people join together in prayer—with ‘one heart and soul’—they find both power and joy (Acts 4:32). The witness to the resurrection continues, as Christians are unafraid, united, and unselfish. The early church knew their identity and was certain what God expected of them. Empowered by God, and characterized by generosity and unity, let us likewise persevere with courage and faith in achieving our God-given tasks and witness in the name and power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.