Acts-Ac.4:21-31 “Stretching forth thine hand”

 “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done./ For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed./ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.”

The council of elders, scribes and chief priests were chosen to lead people and set good example but they loved the praise of men so we see them cowed by fear. Public opinion was more important to them than honor from God. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men.” Jesus had seen through their hypocrisy,”Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness./ Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”(Matt.23:27-28)

The apostles upon release reported to others in the congregation praised God and they prayed,”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.”(vv.29-30)

Jesus had compared the healing by the word of God in terms of the finger of God. “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”(Luke 11:20-NIV). Jesus Christ was the word become flesh. He as the bread from heaven was sent from his Father. The finger is in the sense life of the invisible God served as light. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”(John 1:4). Therefore in his light, which was true Light saw the word as tantamount to his Being. It is not literal finger but the word from God, His promises that Jesus applied in their every day situations. Jesus made the connection is what Luke seems to tell.

We have an example from his healing. The man who had not way of availing the cure suffered. “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years./ When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me./ Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk./ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.”(John 5:5-9). The angel of the Lord signified the presence of the Lord, and His ministers wherever revealed themselves it had to do, without exception on an errand which is what the voice of the Lord and it is according to the Holy writ.

In a circumstance man could effect a healing by stepping into the pool as soon as the angel had stirred up the pool what this impotent could do, so near and yet far away. In such a helpless state Jesus stepped in so the word of God was proved right. “He sent his word, and healed them from all their destructions,”(Ps.107:20) was a living word!

‘Stretching forth thine hand’ signified the unfailing word of God worked for whosoever who believed. “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”(Is.14:27)

²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

²⁸ For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

³⁰ By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

³¹ 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.