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this group of believers is in essence saying, “Lord, the heathen are at it again -- they are
threatening us.” God promised deliverance by the mouth of David, and it is repeated
throughout the Old Testament. In their own life-time, they have seen the crucifixion, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus out of the hands of evil men. Now, God will do it again. This occasion
took God no more by surprise than any other, including the crucifixion of Jesus. Our attitude in
prayer should simply be to bring the accusations of men before the Lord.

The believers in Jerusalem are doing what Hezekiah did when he faced an invasion by the Army
of Sennacherib. Hezekiah spread the evil report written by the heathen king before the Lord
(Isaiah 34: 14). The heathen were not bringing an evil report against the people; they were
bringing an evil report against the Lord. Both Hezekiah and the congregation of Jerusalem were
informing God of what was being spoken about Him. The congregation now asks God for
boldness to speak His Word and the name of Jesus even more.

Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by
the name of thy holy child Jesus.

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of
the holy child (spotless humanity on) Jesus.
In addition to asking for boldness, they are asking God for signs and wonders to accompany the
preaching of the Word (Mark 16:20). The “hand” of the Lord is the power of the Holy Spirit.
This power will work through their hands because they are the body of Jesus in the earth. Their
hands and mouths are really His. His words and power are displayed through them.

We have been given dominion over the works of Jesus’ hands (Psalm 8:6). Although healing
comes through our hands, the power comes from God. We are only agents of God’s healing
power.

Act 4:31 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.

There are results when true worship and adoration are given to God and His Son, Jesus (16:26).
Here God answers their prayer with a wonder: He shakes the meeting place. God also answers
their prayer for boldness: They are filled with the Holy Spirit. This group of believers must have
gone from praying in a known tongue to praying and praising God in unknown tongues of the
Holy Spirit.

4:31 boldness, parrhesia (par-rhay-see-ah); Outspokenness, unreserved utterance,
freedom of speech, with frankness, candor, cheerful courage, and the opposite of
cowardice, timidity, or fear. Here it denotes a divine enablement that comes to ordinary
and unprofessional people exhibiting spiritual power and authority. It also refers to a
clear presentation of the gospel without being ambiguous or unintelligible. Parrhesia is
not a human quality but a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.