And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus. 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.
—Acts 4:29-31
Is it permissible to ask the Lord, “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal”? Let us look into this question.
Imagine the apostles in the midst of Jerusalem and her unbelief. The rulers of the people were making threats, while the blinded multitude were refusing to accept Jesus. Today’s world is no longer as openly hostile to the church because it has lost its fear of her. But a Christianity of mere form, in the sleep of indifference, is just as inaccessible as an openly resisting Judaism. Even in the present day, God’s servants need His power to be clearly evident among them so that the Word can be preached with all boldness
The apostles knew well that it was not the eloquence of their preaching that caused the truth to triumph. They were dependent upon the Holy Spirit manifesting His presence by miracles. It was necessary for God to stretch forth His hand, so that there might be healings and miracles, in the name of Jesus. Then could His servants, strengthened by His presence, speak with boldness.
The apostles counted on these words of the Lord before He ascended: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature….And these signs shall follow them that believe;…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15, 17–18). This charge indicates the divine vocation of the church. The promise that follows proves to us that the Lord acts in agreement with her. The apostles counted on this promise and prayed for the Lord to grant them this proof of His presence.
What new strength God’s people would receive today if the Lord would thus stretch forth His hand! Many who are indifferent would be led to reflect and more than one doubter would regain confidence. The poor sinner would wake up if he saw with his own eyes what he could not comprehend by words alone. He would be forced to acknowledge that the Christian’s God is the living God who does wonders, the God of love who blesses!