Peter, John, and Prayer

Luke 4:22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Keywords: Herod, Prayer, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles

Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He had John the Baptist beheaded and judged Jesus at his trial.[1]

Prayer is a dialogue between God and His people.[2] Throughout the Bible, there are individuals who practiced praying. Abraham, Moses, and Joshua are few that held meaningful prayer lives bringing about positive outcomes for the people. David was a mighty warrior that knew that his success was because of his fellowship and prayers to God. Solomon prayed for wisdom, but was granted much more. Jesus prayed many hours to God both day and night. The disciples continue to focus on prayer during their tribulations.

Pilate, Pontus was a Roman governor of Judea. He came to power in A.D. 26. He was removed from office after complaints from Samaritans reached Vitellius, governor of Syria.[3]

Gentiles are people who are not part of God’s chosen family at birth and thus can be considered “pagans.”[4]

In the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. Jesus tells us during times as described above, we are to rejoice and be glad because great is our reward in heaven. There are instances when we are questioned about our actions. It is important to be honest because the Holy Spirit lives in us. As shown above, Peter and John are being honest. The individuals that were healed have everything to gain, but nothing to lose. The crippled man was not allowed in the temple. He was excited because this was the first time he was allowed in the temple.

If you find yourself being questioned, follow the example of Peter and John. Pray before you great the world, pray while you are in the world, and pray after you have returned. Peter and John were always in prayer. Prayer is our connection to God.

Bibliography

Garland, David E. Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

Hatchett, Randy. “Prayer.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1291-1293. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Lewis, Jack P. “Gentiles.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 630. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Michaels, J. Ramsey. “Pilate, Pontius.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1269. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Toussaint, Stanley D. “Acts.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 349-432. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

[1] John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984), 203.

[2] Randy Hatchett, “Prayer,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1291-1293.

[3] J. Ramsey Michaels, “Pilate, Pontius,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1269.

[4] Jack P. Lewis, “Gentiles,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 630.