Devotion for Tuesday in Whitsun Week, 14 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Tuesday in Whitsun Week, 14 June 2011 Anno Domini
“23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:23-37)
The Temple officials were forced to release the two Apostles, Peter and John, for fear stirring up the public opinion against them. As we have often said earlier, we are soldiers of Christ and, therefore, are in the Army of God. In an Army, intelligence must be shared fully and promptly. These two returned forthwith to their “own company” and reported all that had been said by the chief priests and elders. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.” Now this news was worthy of much thanksgiving. Here follows the beautiful prayer, given in one accord (communal) to God for His salvation:
“24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Please note in the above prayer that the first five verses were employed in praising God. The last two included a petition on the part of the body. But look at the character of the petition: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” Not request here for a personal favor or enrichment, but a petition to grant them boldness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord! And to accomplish this petition: “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” That the Lord Himself be given glory by His outstretched arm of healing and magnifying of His Wonderful Name!
Please observe now the heavenly powers marshaled together when a host of God’s people pray in common prayer: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” First of all, there was a great Presence in the shaking of the place where they were assembled, they were FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and there greatest petition of boldness was answered without delay. Why? Because they prayed the Will of the Father by the Name of His only Begotten Son! It is always God’s will that we speak boldly for our Savior. Further note: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” ALL of that company was of one heart and SOUL. That Soul was Christ. When we put on the Mind that was in Christ, we are inseparable in our souls with His. Common Prayer is the means whereby we may achieve Oneness and unity of purpose. And, lastly, note that all selfish wants were dissipated. They shared all they had in common – not just common prayer, but common living as well.
The happy results continue to flow from this moment of praise and prayer: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” The testimony and faith of the company was greatly increased and they bore testimony thereof to the Apostles. They received, additionally, great grace from God in the stillness of the glory.
Praise, prayer and testimony will always bear fruit of many varieties: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” These Christians truly loved their neighbors as themselves, and their actions bore out the truth of that love. As a result, none lacked. This capsule event may be enlarged to include an entire nation: “Blessed in the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12)
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” What a great benefit to have the pillars of such support within the church assembly! The monies given by Barnabas was in no way intended, or resulted, in lining the pockets of the Apostles, but “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” That was, by today’s standards, a very peculiar church. The money was not employed in building a cathedral, or in lucrative staff salaries, but used to satisfy the needs of the less privileged in the congregation. Where may we find such a church today? I hope the AOC (Anglican Orthodox Church) is such a church for our record suggests that it is just so!