Acts 14:3 “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” This verse is part of the description of the active ministries of both the apostles Paul and Barnabas, in that area [...]
Acts 14:3
“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
This verse is part of the description of the active ministries of both the apostles Paul and Barnabas, in that area known as Iconium. As with the preceding places that these apostles visited, they declared the word of the Lord first and I believe foremost, (as in their foremost intention and reason for being with this unbelieving people). In this case, however, a unique reference is made to the “word of His grace.”
This wonderful grace is God’s powerful force of setting free the one who is in sin so that they are no longer bound by sin. To continue in sin is a testimony that His grace is not enough, that there is no power in the word of the Lord. This is the life of the unbeliever – the one who has no faith in the word of the Lord or in the Lord himself.
Yet, the ones who would hear the word of the Lord preached by the apostles, they were given grace for liberty from bondages and the signs and wonders were the result.
Much in the same order as when Jesus told the apostles, “signs and wonders will follow them that believe,” as the “word of His grace” was proclaimed the wonder-filled works of the Spirit were performed in testimony to the “word of His grace” that was being preached.
As is it also said in Hebrews, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”
Now, an interesting thing to me is how the apostles Barnabas and Paul were “speaking boldly in the Lord.” It seems that the important place to be, was not necessarily in Iconium, or in Perga, or in Antioch, or anywhere else for that matter, as long as they were “boldly in the Lord.”
Being “in the Lord” produces boldness, yet it takes boldness to enter into the presence of the Lord. Boldness is not arrogance. Boldness is courage mixed with a sense of honor and a resolve to make His word known where it is unknown. Courage to find the places where the word of the Lord is unknown and the courage to speak the word of the Lord in some form that will enable unbelievers to yield to His word.
The Lord gives grace to the unbeliever and miracles take place. This spiritual activity cannot be beaten or outdone. Boldly enter the presence of the Lord. Boldly go to the unbelieving. Boldly proclaim the word of the Lord. The works of the Lord are then made manifest. It’s the good life.
