Acts 4:29-30 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,… I. THE HEALING HAND OF GOD IS EXTENDED. The hand is an emblem of power, and the gospel is the hand or "power of God unto salvation." The hand of God is seen in(1) The works of creation; above, around, beneath — everywhere. (2) The course of Providence; through all time, among all nations: it governs, guides, supports, defends. (3) The work of redemption. To this latter the apostles refer — "The hand of God stretched out to heal." The gospel — not a sword to destroy, not a rod to rebuke; but a gracious hand to heal. We need to be healed, for we are all bruised with the worries of life — its puzzling problems, its exacting work, its burdens and bereavements, its sins and sorrows. (a) The gentle ministration of the beauty and bounty of the world. (b) The sympathy and condolence of social love. He heals us by assuring us that He loves us; by the exhibition of His healing hand in the life of His dear Son; by actual aid; by exceeding great and precious promises. In the gospel God's hand is stretched out to heal. II. THE THOUGHTFUL ATTENTION OF MAN IS ARRESTED. The apostles prayed that signs and wonders might be wrought. They knew how prone men were to be thoughtless and inattentive, and that it needed some loud bell to be rung in the ears of the world. Under the Old Testament dispensation signs and wonders had been wrought to secure attention to the promulgation of the Law and the proclamations of the Prophets. The apostles were privileged to wield miraculous power, thus arresting the attention of their auditors. These things were (1) credentials of apostleship and (2) proofs of the supernatural in Christianity. III. THE PEERLESS NAME OF CHRIST IS EXALTED. The apostles fell into the background and hid themselves under the shadow of the Cross. In the name of Jesus they found the secret of unfaltering faith. To the glorious company of the apostles the name of Jesus was above every name; that name, as "Servant," as the Sent One, the true Messiah, excels all other names of ancient or modern times. Above the names of Peter and Paul, and Luther, Whitfield and Wesley, rises — Like the sun in his splendour — the name of the world's great Redeemer, the Essence of light and sweetness, the Symbol of purity and power, the Source of life and salvation. (F. W. Brown.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,WEB: Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, |
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