Acts 4:29-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

The grateful, emboldened, and prayerful Church, and the Spirit's witness. With all the naturalness of simplest truth, we are told how the apostles, in their new character of discharged prisoners, run away at once to their brethren of the Church. And we are in this passage taught how— I. THE CHURCH SHOULD BE A HOME OF TENDEREST , MOST FAITHFUL SYMPATHIES , AND OF HOLY SOCIAL INTERCOURSE . NOW it is too often the place of suspicion, distrust, unhappy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-31

Praise for safety and prayer for power "From the court-room the apostles retired to the Church. Christian confessors win their victories in the face of day; but the strength by which such victories are won is only to be got where Jesus got his, in secret. Remember Luther's broken cries as he lay on his chamber floor at early morning on the 18th day of April, 1521 (D'Aubigne, 'History of the Reformation' bk. 7. Acts 8:1-40 .). In every crisis of strain and peril through which our lives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-37

The resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of brethren entered, with deep and strong sympathy, into the feelings of their two leaders; they all felt that a very critical hour had come to that new cause which they represented. Under these circumstances they bethought themselves of— I. THE RESOURCE OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:28-31

The two kingdoms in array against one another. I. THE SCRIPTURAL REPRESENTATION RECOGNIZED . The Holy Ghost spake it. The view given in Psalms 2:1-12 . corresponds with that which pervades the Bible. The Babel power over against the kingdom of God. God making all things to work together for his purposes. The history of Jesus Christ a wonderful confirmation of this view. The disciples in their faith and fellowship following their Master and accepting the responsibilities of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:29

Look upon for behold, A.V.; to speak thy word with all boldness for that with all boldness they may speak thy word, A.V. Lord . This time κύριε (Kyrie), the word in the LXX . for Jehovah, and the special designation of Jesus Christ ( Acts 2:36 , etc.), but here applied to God the Father. Look upon ; a more forcible rendering than the A.V. Look upon, for the purpose of frustrating and punishing. The only other place in the New Testament where the word ( ἑπείδειν )... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:30

While thou stretchest for by stretching, A.V.; thy for thine, A.V.; through for by, A.V.; Servant for child, A.V., as in Acts 4:27 and Acts 3:13 , Acts 3:26 . While thou stretchest , etc. The A.V. seems preferable. It was the fact that, while they preached the Word of God, the Lord confirmed the Word with signs following, which gave them such superhuman courage to persevere in the face of death and bonds. And this was God s method and means of encouraging them. And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 4:29

Behold their threatenings - So look upon them as to grant us deliverance. They did not purpose to abandon their undertaking; they resolved to persevere; and they expected that this purpose would involve them in danger. With this purpose they implored the protection of God; they asked that he would not suffer them to be deterred from speaking boldly; and they sought that constant additional proof might be granted of the presence and power of God to confirm the truth of their message.And grant... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand ... - The apostles not only desired boldness to speak, but they asked that God would continue to work miracles, and thus furnish to them, and to the people, evidence of the truth of what they delivered. They did not even ask that he would preserve their lives, or keep them from danger. They were intent on their work, and they confidently committed their way to God, making it their great object to promote the knowledge of the truth, and seeking that God would... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 4:29-31

Acts 4:29-31. And now, Lord As to what remains to accomplish this important scheme, of raising thy church on the sure foundation of thy Son’s cross; behold their threatenings With which they are endeavouring to discourage the chosen witnesses of his resurrection; and grant to thy servants, that with all boldness Παρρησιας πασης , all freedom of speech; they may speak thy word In the midst of the most violent opposition that can arise; by stretching forth thy hand Exerting thy power;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 4:1-31

Growth brings opposition (4:1-31)During the centuries leading up to the Christian era (see ‘The New Testament World’), several parties had arisen within the Jewish religion. The most important of these were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.The Pharisees came mainly from the common people, and tried to preserve the Jewish way of life from the corruption of foreign ideas and political ambition. They were concerned with the outward show of religion, but not so concerned with correct attitudes of... read more

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