ha29 05172015 - praying for boldness acts 4

Praying for

Text: Acts 4:23-31

Heritage Addition church of ChristBy Jim Bradshaw

Sunday Morning, May 17, 2015

Praying for BoldnessIt’s Not Easy Being Bold

Boldness – (parrhesia) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.

Praying for Boldness

Acts 4:18 Act 4:23-24 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (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,

Prayed Immediately 1 Peter 5:7; Psalms 34:15

Prayed with One Voice


Act 4:23-24 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (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,

One accord – (homothumadon) with one mind, with one accord, with one passion. (Thayer)



1Co 1:10 NKJV Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.


Praying for BoldnessPrayed with One Voice

Joh 17:17-23 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (20) "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; (21) that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (22) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (23) I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.


Act 4:23-24 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (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,

Their Voice – (singular) one collective voice – they spoke the same thing.



Their Voice – (singular) one collective voice – they spoke the same thing.

Rom 15:5-6 NKJV Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (6) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Do we speak with one voice – Elders, deacons, preacher, members, etc.

Prayed to the Supreme Ruler of all Men

Act 4:24-28 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.

Lord here from the word despotes , which means more literally one with absolute power or ruling without control from men.

Genesis 1:1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Prayed to the Supreme Ruler of all Men

2Sa 23:2 NKJV "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. (They quote from the inspired word in Psalms 2)

Eph 3:10-12 NKJV to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, (11) according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, (12) in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Prayed to Speak the Word with Boldness

Act 4:29-31 NKJV Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak (PAN) Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke (IAI) the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:19-20


Act 4:29-31 NKJV Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak (PAN) Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke (IAI) the word of God with boldness.

Servant – (Paidos) can mean either child or servant such as a King’s attendant. Here servant better, same as “Your servant David” in verse 25.

Php 2:5-11 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


God does answer prayers1. The place was shaken –

literally2. Figuratively. Determination of

the early church shook the world

3. May we pray to shake the world today

4. May we with the mind of Christ lift up one voice to God to speak the Word of God.

ha29 05172015 - praying for boldness acts 4

Spiritual