There is yps tonight, so I will do my Bible study now instead of waiting till before bed cause then it will be to late.
Acts 4:1-37 KJV
[1] And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
[2] Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
[3] And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
[4] Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Even if others try to stop your efforts, God is more powerful and many can be brought to salvation through you.
[5] And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
[6] And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
[7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
[8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Don't forget that God will give you the right words to say at the right time if you trust Him.
[9] If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
[10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
[11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
[12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus is the only way to be saved, Christianity is not one of many paths to heaven, it is the only path to heaven.
[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
[14] And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
[15] But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
[16] Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it .
[17] But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
[18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
[19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
God commands us to obey the authorities above us, but if they tell us to do or not do something God commands us to not do or do, we must always obey God.
[20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
We should be more like them, not able keep the knowledge of the only way to be saved to ourselves. I find it is definitely harder for someone who was born in a Christian family and been a Christian there whole lives to share the good news, but we still have to, so we must pray to God to give us the courage and strength and motivation.
[21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
[22] For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Age doesn't matter, in this example the man was not to old and there are other example where someone is not to young to be used for the glory of God.
[23] And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
[24] And 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:
We should start our prayers with praising God.
[25] Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
[26] The 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.
[29] And 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.
[31] 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.
How powerful God and prayer are!
[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. [33] And 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.
[36] 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,
[37] Having land, sold it , and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
I think I will ask every time what your thoughts on the passage are, did I miss any major points or interpret something different than you?
Here a tip for your prayer life, I have started a prayer journal and wrote down lots of names, pretty much everyone I speak to more than once a month and people I know need prayers, and I am trying to pray for each one individually and as a group.
Dear Lord You alone are powerful, You have given us salvation, thank you for that and thank you for everything you have given us. Please grant us courage and motivation to spread the good news that you sent Your only Son to die for our sins. Please bless every one I have written down in my prayer journal, you alone know all their needs and struggles. Please grant my parents the patience they need to get along with my brother, and please grant him patience not to get mad at them. Please keep him safe as he makes the journey back to his job, please help him not get lost, and please bless everyone reading this, in Jesus's name, Amen.