The Institute for Creation Research

"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). In the Book of Acts, greatness was evident in the early church because of a great God who worked mightily on their behalf. It would be wonderful if the Body of Christ today would experience the workings of God in the same manner. What did they have that we ought to have? Great power in witnessing: "And with great power gave the apostles witness" (v.33). This was a direct answer to prayer. "Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (v.29). The Holy Spirit did empower them, and gave boldness, resulting in many conversions. "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith" (6:7). "And it came to pass in Iconium . . . that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed" (14:1). "And of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few" (17:4). Great joy in salvation: "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things. . . . And there was great joy in that city" (8:5-6,8). Salvation is a joy to the one who has been saved and a joy to those who share in their salvation. "They passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren" (15:3). Great fear of sinning: "And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things" (5:5,11). It would be far better to fear to sin than to have the fear associated with sinning. Great grace in giving: "Great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked" (4:33-34). NPS