“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 spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:31
If He did it then, He’s wanting to do it again.
“And the place was shaken.”
Did the room they were in literally sway back and forth that day when those assembled heard Peter and John’s report and began praising God? Perhaps—or, it might just have seen that way as they physically trembled in the Presence of a Holy God. Regardless, one thing was certain: They were “all filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
We must remember they were still in the afterglow of Jesus’ Resurrection, Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It’d not been too long before when they’d seen the Risen Lord face-to-Face. . .knelt at His nail-scarred Feet. . .seen Him rise up into the clouds as the angels said “One day He’ll come back in like manner as you’ve seen Him go” (Acts 1:9-11). . .witnessed the arrival of “the promise of the Father” (1:4b-5). . .wept over 3,000 who’d “gladly received the Word and were baptized” (2:41). . .enjoyed sweet fellowship together around the table as “fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles” (2:42-47). . .and rejoiced as the lame man at the Temple’s Beautiful Gate was healed and began “walking, leaping and praising God” (3:1-8).
No doubt their hearts sank within them when Peter and John were arrested for preaching the Gospel, even though some 5,000 had turned to Christ (4:1-4). Some probably thought they’d be imprisoned for a long time or possibly even put to death; however, suddenly they appeared—“reporting all that had happened to them” (4:23), causing them to “lift up their voices to God with one accord in praise and thanksgiving for Who He is and what He had done” (vv.24-28).
Even now, we can almost see their eyes wide with amazement and their dropped jaws as they asked the Dynamic Duo, “What happened? How were you so quickly released without even being beaten?!?” (vv.15-22). No wonder the Holy Ghost came in power on them as Peter and John said “Because they took note that we’d been with Jesus, even though we were ignorant and unlearned men! And, when they threatened us—telling us to stop preaching in Jesus’ Name—we simply told them we could not help but speak the things which we’ve seen and heard!” (vv.13, 18-20). Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, wouldn’t you like to have been there and prayed with them “And, now, Lord, grant unto us, Your servants, that with all boldness we may speak your Word” (v.29)? And, wouldn’t you like, once again, to pray with power by asking Jesus to help you “stretch forth your hand to heal so that signs and wonders may be done in the Name of Jesus” (v.30)? Glory!!
“The place in which they were assembled was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke the Word of God with boldness” because they prayed in faith, taking Jesus at His Word. The same can happen today if we’re assume our rightful place as “more than conquerors through Him Who loved us” (Rom. 8:37), which is first preceded by “loving Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.” (Dt. 11:13; Mk. 12:30).
By Tom Smith, Morning Manna Dated September 15, 2009
