LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
With Outstretched Hand
"Grant your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand..." (Acts 4:29-30).
The beginnings of the church, in the book of Acts, are full of amazing things. The preaching of the apostles, as in that first one on the day of Pentecost, was centered on Jesus Christ, the announcement of his resurrection, the expression of his power to save, and also to heal the sick. From heaven came such a powerful visitation from the Spirit that the most astonishing thing became a normal thing and a daily occurrence.
The men who yesterday were fishermen, artisans, men "without letters and of the vulgar", now take the place of prophets of God, and fill Jerusalem and all Judea with the word of God. His ministration was like a wind from heaven that cleansed and adorned the earth. Divinity was breathable and tangible for many men and women thirsty for God.
But with the blessing came persecution – as always. And then the clamorous prayer rises to heaven, not to be freed from persecution, but to conduct oneself with dignity in the midst of it. The request is clear, and exemplary for us: They ask that they be given to speak the word of God with boldness, and that the hand of God act to confirm that word. Two things: the word, and the confirmation from heaven of that word.
The apostles learned early that heaven and earth have to act together, so that men fear and convert to the living and true God. Preaching plus the outstretched hand of God act in a coordinated manner for the salvation of men. They saw the importance of the Word – for it is by the Word that hearing with faith comes for salvation. Soon after, they would ask the church to be relieved of all other functions in order to dedicate themselves fully to this ministry (Acts 6:1-4).
But the Word must find an echo in heaven. It must not only come from heaven, but, when proclaimed, it must have the backing of heaven. What is probably the major cause of so much incredulity and indifference of men regarding the divine today? Perhaps it is that ministers have spoken without having received God's supply, and then, without having counted on God's outstretched hand to favor the Word – because God cannot endorse something that has not come from His heart.
How we need the support of heaven today! Not only man has to speak: God has to speak. Not just the voice on earth, but the voice from the heavens. And he can do it in many wonderful ways. None of them should be questioned or belittled by us. It is the merciful hand of God saying: "What these men say is not their business, but the word of God, listen to them."
The message of the apostles was absolutely Christocentric, without a hint of humanism, nor material or denominational interest (Acts 5:42). Christ was the whole, the center and the circumference. If the ministers are christocentric, so will be their message. Is it like this today?