Acts 14, 1-7 Wonders to occur through their hands

Acts 14

(Acts 14, 1-7) Wonders to occur through their hands

[1] In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe, [2] although the disbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. [3] So they stayed for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word about his grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands. [4] The people of the city were divided: some were with the Jews; others, with the apostles. [5] When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone them, [6] they realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, [7] where they continued to proclaim the good news.

(CCC 699) The hand. Jesus heals the sick and blesses little children by laying hands on them (Cf. Mk 6:5; 8:23; 10:16). In his name the apostles will do the same (Cf. Mk 16:18; Acts 5:12; 14:3). Even more pointedly, it is by the Apostles' imposition of hands that the Holy Spirit is given (Cf. Acts 8:17-19; 13:3; 19:6). The Letter to the Hebrews lists the imposition of hands among the "fundamental elements" of its teaching (Cf. Heb 6:2). The Church has kept this sign of the all-powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit in its sacramental epicleses. (CCC 1507) The risen Lord renews this mission ("In my name… They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover" Mk 16:17-18.) and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name (Cf. Acts 9:34; 14:3). These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly "God who saves" (Cf. Mt 1:21; Acts 4:12).