Page 34 - Acts Student Textbook

7. When Luke said they had found “no basis on which to punish them (i.e Peter and John),” what
kind of purpose of his writing was he appealing to and what does it mean?

8. What can we learn from the apostles’ prayer in times of trouble?

5.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Are you going through some form of persecution or trial? Greater interest takes us to the
apostles’ attitude in prayer when in the midst of trials. When the others had learned that
Peter and John were arrested for the good work, they did not start asking God why, and
did not express any form of despair. Instead they got comfort from the Old Testament
Scriptures which predicted that such was to be expected, and they thanked God. Instead of
pronouncing curses on the evil doers, they asked God for boldness and strength. From the prayer of
the apostles, it looks clear that God is already aware of the trials we pass through before they
happen, therefore, the why question may not help. But asking for wisdom, boldness and strength
seems to be the right way to go.

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