ACC ~ Acts 4 v23 - 31

OVERVIEW:

In the life of Jesus and in the life of Moses and also of the apostles, Luke often portrays a rhythm of withdrawal from rejection and then return in greater power. This section is an example of withdrawal after rejection and subsequent endowment with new strength. The Fathers are most drawn by the description of prayer given by Luke (CHRYSOSTOM, IRENAEUS, ORIGEN) and to the fact that the prayer is addressed to God, the Father, the Creator and Ruler of the world (ORIGEN, DIDYMUS, CHRYSOSTOM). Chrysostom interprets the shaking of the house as a sign from God that the disciples’ prayer has been answered, while Bede and Arator link it to the power of the apostolic preaching. Chrysostom’s final remark about being filled with grace leads him into the next section.

4:23 | The Apostles Reported to Their Friends

NOT AMBITIOUS OF HONOR. CHRYSOSTOM: Let us return to what was said earlier and observe the wisdom of the apostles. They did not go about boasting and say, “How we settled the discussion with the priests!” They were not ambitious for honor but “went to their friends.” See how they do not throw themselves upon temptations, but when temptations present themselves endure them with courage. Had it been one of the other disciples, perhaps he might have been emboldened by the crowd’s boldness to act with arrogance and speak countless harsh words. But not these, who are true philosophers and do everything with mildness and with gentleness. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 11.

4:24 | Lifting Voices to God

TRUE PRAYER. CHRYSOSTOM: “And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God.” That shout arose from joy and great emotion. Such indeed are the prayers that do their work, prayers filled with true philosophy, prayers offered up for such reasons by such persons, on such occasions, in such a manner. All others are abominable and profane. Notice how we hear of nothing that is superfluous, no old wives’ talk or fables. No, it is of his power that they speak. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 11.

THE PRAYER OF THE SPIRIT. IRENAEUS: These [are the] voices of the church from which every church had its origin; these are the voices of the metropolis of the citizens of the new covenant; these are the voices of the apostles; these are voices of the disciples of the Lord, the truly perfect, who, after the assumption of the Lord, were perfected by the Spirit, and called on the God who made heaven and earth and the sea—who was announced by the prophets—and Jesus Christ his Son, whom God anointed and who knew no other [God]. AGAINST HERESIES 3.12.5.

PRAYING TO THE CREATOR. ORIGEN: Let us, however, touch briefly on the Acts of the Apostles, where Stephen and the apostles direct their prayers to that God “who made heaven and earth” and who “spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets,” calling him “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” the God who led his people out of the land of Egypt. These expressions undoubtedly direct our minds to faith in the Creator and implant an affection for him in those who have piously and faithfully accepted this truth in him. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.4.2.

THE ONE TRUE GOD. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Many of those with heretical views divide the Godhead, saying that the demiurge is one God and the Father of Christ another. From this they go on to divide the Scripture and say that the old covenant is of the demiurge and the new covenant of the Father of Christ. In accordance with their blasphemous view, they say that these gods are in opposition to each other, and their scriptures as well; that those who seek refuge in the Lord are enemies of the demiurge and better people obtain the latter; that people of the demiurge have been accused by Christ and his teaching. The present Scripture passage exposes their impiety by bringing in the apostles. After their release from the plot of the high priests and elders, they went to their friends, that is, to those who shared their faith. Together with them they sent up a hymn of thanks to the Creator of heaven and earth, mentioning that he spoke through the mouth of David (in the Holy Spirit, naturally) what is the second psalm, which begins, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?” After all this it is clear that the demiurge and the Father of the Savior is the same God and that both covenants are given by him. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4.25.

4:27 | Your Holy Servant Jesus

CHRIST AS ONE ANOINTED WITH THE SPIRIT. BEDE: They explain the literal meaning of the name of Christ, about whom it was said “and against your Christ,” for “Christ took his name from chrism, that is, from anointing.” It is accordingly said, “Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness,” that is, with the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4.27.

4:28 | What God Had Predestined

THEY REFER ALL TO GOD. CHRYSOSTOM: Scripture is accustomed to speak of one as of many. That is, they did not have power to do this, but you did it all, you who gave permission, who called them to account, who brought it to fruition, you the all-skillful and wise, who used your enemies for your own purpose. Here they speak of his exceeding skill and wisdom and of his power. They gathered together as your enemies with murderous intent and in opposition, but in fact they were doing what you wanted them to do, for we read, “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” What is “your hand”? I think here it means the same as power and purpose, that is, for you it is enough simply to will. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 11.

4:31 | The Place Shaken; Presence of the Spirit

THE EARTH TREMBLED. CHRYSOSTOM: God heard their prayer and manifested this by shaking the place. For “when they had prayed,” it is said, “the place was shaken.” Why did this happen? Listen to the words of the prophet: “He looks on the earth and it trembles.” For by this he revealed that he is present to their prayers. And again, another prophet says, “The earth was shaken and trembled at the presence of the Lord.” And God did this both to make it more fearsome and to lead them to courage. After those threatening conditions, they gained increased boldness. Since it was the beginning of their ministry and they had prayed for a sensible sign for their persuasion (this never happens again afterwards), great was the encouragement they received. In fact, they had no means of proving that he was risen except by miraculous signs. Thus it was not only their own assurance that they sought but also that they might not be put to shame, that they might speak with boldness. “The place was shaken,” and that made them all the more unshaken. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 11.

THE POWER OF A STOUT HEART. BEDE: Those who sought the power of a stout heart against the deception of their enemies received a token, in the shaking of the earth, that their prayer had already been heard. This was so that they might recognize that earthly hearts would pass away from those under whose feet the earth itself was shaken with dread at the coming of the Holy Spirit. And even the fear of those who, by believing, were to be subject to the apostles, can be understood as joyful, since in shaking off their infirm depression they had learned to rise with Christ and to taste of heavenly things. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4.31.

THE APOSTLES SHAKE THE EARTH. ARATOR: The power of the apostles’ words, which made those created from earth have faith, altered and set in motion the ground; but as to the fact that the one place leaped and was shaken more [than others], Scripture announced that beautiful [are the] feet that bring peace; therefore the joyful earth was moved under the tread of them [the apostles] to whom peace was given by the word of the holy Master. Transported through them, it has gone out into all lands with its swift favor. ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.

COOPERATING WITH GRACE. CHRYSOSTOM: “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken.” This was the proof that they were heard and of his visitation. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” What is “they were filled”? It means that they were inflamed and the Gift burned within them. “And they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul.” Do you see that together with the grace of God they also contributed their part? For it must be observed that everywhere together with the grace of God they also do their part. Just as Peter said above, “I have no silver and gold,” and again, “they were all together,” here, having mentioned that they were heard, Luke proceeds to speak also of their virtue. As he is about to embark on the narrative of Sapphira and Ananias, with a view to showing the detestable conduct of that pair he first discusses the noble behavior of the rest. Now tell me, did their love beget their poverty, or the poverty the love? In my opinion, the love begot the poverty, and then the poverty drew tight the cords of love. For notice what he says, they were all “of one heart and soul.” Look, heart and soul the same. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 11.