GREAT GRACE

"And with great power gave the apostle's witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33)

THERE IS NO GATHERING of believers that could not use a healthy dose of "great grace." That is a condition where those in Christ gain the advantage, and become adequate to the challenges that face them. It is a time where they are more aware of the Lord than what is around them – what even may be threatening them. It is also a time when Christ and His great salvation are most clear and accessible to the heart. How we must covet such a marvelous state: "great grace!"

DURING THE TIME COVERED BY OUR TEXT, the disciples were beginning to experience some serious opposition. At the first, believers had "favor with all the people" (Acts 2:47). But, alas, that favor was short-lived. Soon the captain of the temple, the priests, and the Sadducees "came upon them." They were "grieved," or "disturbed," because the disciples "taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:1-2). Some were imprisoned. Peter and John were judged, beaten, and charged to refrain from such speaking. How would the children of God respond to such things? Would they rethink the matter of speaking publicly about the Lord Jesus, and boldly declaring "the resurrection of the dead?"

AS SOON AS PETER AND JOHN were "let go," they went "to their own company." They did not retreat to a solitary place, or hide from their enemies. They sought the company of kindred spirits, which is the manner of the Kingdom. Once they were with the brethren, they reported what had happened to them (Acts 4:23). When the disciples heard their words, they lifted up a fervent prayer to God, asking for boldness to speak the Word, and for confirmation of that word. They knew where to go, and what to say. They did not conclude that they should go to another place where they might be more fully accepted. In their prayer, they confessed that God was the Creator, and had made all things. They referred to the second Psalm, which spoke of the resolution of God's enemies to rid themselves of Divine influences. They rehearsed to God how the people and the rulers – Jews and Gentiles – had conspired against the Lord Jesus, only to do what God had already determined to be done. They then addressed a fervent supplication to the Lord: "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"(4:24-30).

THEIR PRAYER WAS FILLED WITH insight into circumstances as well as the Scriptures. It revealed an understanding of God and the subdued role of the kings of this world. They did not pray for protection, but for boldness to speak in spite of the opposition. They asked God to work in a miraculous way. They sought the Lord Jesus to be exalted.

HOW WILL THE LORD RESPOND to such a prayer? Will they be upbraided for submitting such a bold request? Will it be viewed as presumptuous and unworthy of Divine attention?

HEAVEN COULD NOT KEEP QUIET. As soon as they had prayed, "the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (4:31). A wave of Divine glory swept through their presence, dwarfing the threats of their enemies, and loosing their tongues. Note, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke – but not with tongues as the Apostles did on the day of Pentecost. They had prayed that God would grant that "with all boldness" they could speak His Word – and that is precisely what they did.

IN THE WAKE OF THIS GLORY, the believers are said to have had all things common, being one heart and soul (4:32).

IN THIS MARVELOUS ATMOSPHERE, the Apostles witnessed to the resurrection of Christ with "great power" – effective power! The reality and potency of that resurrection burst upon the hearts of the people. The result – "And great grace was upon them all." Divine favor was upon them, and realized by them. That grace outweighed the threats of their enemies. It was so powerful that many disciples sold of their land and houses, and laid the proceeds at the Apostle's feet (4:34-35).

IF THE CHURCH DESIRES a resurgence of this type of grace, it must again major on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The favor of God will surround the church when the glorious resurrection and life of His son captures their attention. God Himself is preoccupied with Jesus. He will be kindly disposed to any and every soul who perceives, and desires to know "the power of His resurrection."

AS LONG AS THE PROFESSED CHURCH insists on majoring on lesser things, it will remain powerless. Being devoid of Divine power, they will have to resort to formal education, worldly counseling, work shops, seminars, and special courses in human behavior. But it will all be for nothing, for God has not ordained such things for the obtainment of Divine power and holy boldness. God gives no power to those who relegate His Son into the background.

– Given O. Blakely