When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
ACTS of the APOSTLES (Peter & John) 4:23 NASB20
Constant companions of the Church
We might easily dismiss the community to which John, Peter and the forty-plus year old healed man return.
ACTS of these men at Solomon’s Portico in the Temple had gotten them arrested by Jerusalem’s highest authorities. Yet because so many had witnessed the healing of this lame man, the three return to the growing ‘community’ of believers who have become the constant companions of the Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem. The authority of Jerusalem’s leaders has been overruled by the mighty acts of God!
Apostles, Disciples & Community
As we reminded ourselves previously when these three men sat in prison overnight: Peter, John and others had also been disciples of John the Baptist. It is a TEACHER/STUDENT relationship in the faith. Rabbi, some called Jesus; while others called Him Master, acknowledging their humble servant-role of the religious student learning Scripture from God’s teacher.
The Twelve APOSTLES now have disciples; that is, followers who become a constant community in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
ACTS of the Apostles 2:42 NASB20
ἴδιος – idios
Luke’s description of these men and women to whom Peter and John return with their witness barely touches the surface of its depth in our English translations, but let’s take a brief look at ACTS 4:23:
- And being let go, they went to their own company.. KJV
- they went to their own companions.. NKJV
- Peter and John returned to the other believers.. NLT
- .. went back to their own people.. NIV
- they went to their friends.. ESV
- Peter and John went to their fellow believers.. NET
- they came to their own company.. ASV
- .. unto their own friends.. YLT
Do you get the idea?
The KJV translates Strong’s G2398 in the following manner: his own (48x), their own (13x), privately (8x), apart (7x), your own (6x), his (5x), own (5x), not translated (1x), miscellaneous (20x).
The Twelve Apostles with hundreds of disciples in Jerusalem now kept in constant community with one another.
In his Gospel Luke records:
Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own G2398 homes and followed You.”
Luke 18:28
It is personally possessive; a constant reminder that turning to follow Christ Jesus both costs us and comforts us.
John reminds us in his Gospel:
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own G2398; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
Gospel of John 15:19 – Jesus’ possessive claim of believers as the Lord assured His Apostles prior to His Sacrifice
Constant communication in the Spirit
And being let go, they went unto their own friends, and declared whatever the chief priests and the elders said unto them, and they having heard, with one accord did lift up the voice unto God..
ACTS of the Apostles 4:23-24a YLT
LET US THANK THE LORD OUR GOD FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF OUR FRIENDS PETER AND JOHN TO OUR COMMUNITY OF FAITH.
Shout praises to the LORD for the Power of the HOLY SPIRIT who secured their release unto us.
Let us give thanks to God for His mercy.
Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘Why were the nations insolent, And the peoples plotting in vain? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
Psalm 2:
from the Hebrew Hymn Book (so to speak)
Why are the nations restless And the peoples plotting in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers conspire together Against the Lord and against His Anointed .. Serve the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, For His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
Constant Praise, then Prayerful Petition
The LORD God has saved our friends for this moment, returning their lives safely to the company of believers.
But what next?
Why DO the nations rage?
To be continued…
