“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the LORD, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3)

The LORD enabled the apostles to speak plainly the glorious message of Christ, in the face of much opposition and division, Acts 14:4. The Spirit of God accompanied their preaching with signs and wonders, according to His will, Hebrews 2:4. The miracles that accompanied their preaching was an affirmation of the truth of their preaching of Christ as set forth in the Old Testament Scriptures, until such time as the whole Canon of Scripture was completed, Hebrews 2:3. The Spirit granted the apostles great evidence and proof of His working in the converting of souls to Christ, for whom He shed His precious blood. In spite of the opposition and division, a great multitude both of the Jews and the Greeks believed, Acts 14:1. It was this very same Spirit that caused them to speak of Christ with such power, and yet so warmly, with such concern for their souls. So mighty is the Spirit of God in blessing the unadulterated grace of God in Christ, that those whom the Spirit of God granted a hearing, could not but say, ‘Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.“ (Galatians 1:4-5)

Let it be noted that their success was not due to their preaching style or personalities but to the Spirit of God Who blessed the preaching of the Word of His Grace (Christ). Perseverance in the Gospel without compromise in the face of danger and hardship is a blessed evidence of God’s grace in not only saving, but keeping each one of His chosen and redeemed ones in Christ. No matter where God drives sinners in His providence, they MUST and SHALL declare the Truth as it is revealed in His Word in Christ. As the apostles went on in Christ's name and strength, He did not fail to give testimony to the Word of His Grace through them, and thereby assures, even us today, that Christ is the Word of His Grace. Therefore, we are saved in Him and therefore do rest in casting our souls on Him.

So how do the Scriptures sum up the Word of God’s Grace? We need look no further than the example of Paul and Barnabas in the previous chapter of Acts 13:

1. Acts 13:33- The Word of God’s Grace in Christ declares that all that God had promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, HE has fulfilled through the obedient life, death, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus. There remains nothing of the law for any of His redeemed ones yet to fulfill or contribute for salvation or keeping. “It is finished,” John 19:30, is a blessed truth for those for whom Christ shed His blood.

2. Acts 13:38- The Word of God’s Grace declares a finished forgiveness of sins, and not merely a potential or conditional forgiveness depending on the sinner. The Word of His Grace is clear, “And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”