Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 11

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts IV. 23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

Not for their own glory did they tell the tale — how should such be their motive?— but what they displayed was the proofs therein exhibited of the grace of Christ. All that their adversaries had said, this they told; their own part, it is likely, they omitted: this made the hearers all the more courageous. What then? These again flee to the true Succor, to the Alliance invincible, and again, with one accord. And when they heard that, it is said, with one accord they lifted up their voice to God, and said: [[Acts 4.24]] and with great earnestness, for it is no prayer made at random. Observe with what exquisite propriety their prayers are framed: thus, when they besought to be shown who was meet for the Apostleship, they said, You, Lord, which know the heart of all men, show: [[Acts 1.24]] for it was a subject for Prescience there: but here, where the thing needed was that the mouths of their adversaries should be stopped, they speak of lordship; wherefore they begin thus: Lord, ( Δέσποτα ) the God that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who, by the Holy Ghost through the mouth of Your servant, David our father, said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. [[Acts 4.24]]-26 It is to sue God, as one may say upon His own covenants, that they thus produce this prophecy: and at the same time to comfort themselves with the thought, that in vain are all the imaginations of their foes. This then is what they say: Bring those words into accomplishment, and show that they imagine vain things.— For of a truth, they proceed, there were gathered together in this city, against Your holy Child Jesus, ( Παἵδα ) Whom You have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, for to do whatsoever Your hand and Your counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings. [[Acts 4.27]]-29 Observe their largeness of mind ( φιλοσοφίαν ). These are not words of imprecation. In saying, their threatenings, they do not mean this or that thing specifically threatened, but only in general, the fact of their threatening, perhaps, as being formidable. In fact, the writer is concise in his narrative. And observe, they do not say, Crush them, cast them down; but what? And grant unto Your servants, that with all boldness they may speak Your word. Let us also learn thus to pray. And yet how full of wrath one would be, when fallen among men intent upon killing him, and making threats to that effect? How full of animosity? But not so these saints. By stretching forth Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Your holy Child Jesus. [[Acts 4.30]] If in that Name the mighty deeds are wrought, great