“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.” – Acts 2:43
“many wonders and signs” a large number of unusual signs, miraculous events with special meaning
“done” – came to be through the “apostles” special messengers of Jesus Christ
“God…brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.” – Acts 3:13
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed.” – Acts 3:16
Eutychus raised from death (Acts 20:7-12)
Paul unaffected by viper’s bite (Acts 28:3-5)
Father of Publius healed (Acts 28:8)
“The shadow of Peter” apparently healed some, and “a multitude gathered… and they were all healed” (Acts 5:15-16)
“Stephen… did great wonders and signs” (Acts 6:8)
“The multitudes… seeing the miracles which [Philip] did” (Acts 8:6)
“The Lord… [granted] signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3)
“Barnabas and Paul [declared] how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them” (Acts 15:12)
“God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul… even handkerchiefs or aprons” (Acts 19:11-12)
“The rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed” (Acts 28:9)
“signs and wonders and mighty works” – 2 Corinthians 12:12 also Romans 15:18-19
God does not always send a miracle. We celebrate the truth about God when there is a miracle, and when we do not see a miracle. The amazing believers we are reading about did not see a miracle in every situation. They suffered as well.
Peter and John arrested, imprisoned, and scourged (Acts 4:1-8; 5:22-41)
Stephen put to death (Acts 6:8–7:60)
Christians scattered through persecution (Acts 8:1-3)
James executed (Acts 12:1-2)
Paul nearly put to death, having rocks thrown at him (Acts 14:19-20)
Paul and Silas arrested, scourged, placed in stocks (Acts 16:22-28)
Paul arrested and tried (Acts chapters 21–28)
Paul (during the Acts period) was whipped with 39 lashes 5 times, beaten with rods 3 times, shipwrecked 3 times, adrift on the sea for 24 hours, often sleepless, hungry, thirsty, and cold (2 Corinthians 11:22-27)
Paul (during the Acts period) was afflicted with a “thorn in the flesh” from which he was not delivered (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
“Though he slay me, I will hope in him.” – Job 13:15
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” – Psalm 34:18
Many times, God used miracles to authenticate Jesus’ identity as Savior, confirming the message of Good News. We see this in the life of Jesus and the lives of the apostles. Many people believed the Good News and received new spiritual life, after seeing miracles.
We see this principle from Jesus’ ministry (in our reading this week).
Jesus opens the eyes of a blind man. When questioned he responds, “I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” – John 9:25, 35-38
Jesus did, model example sent them out to…” healing”, gave them spiritual authority/ability 72
“Now go, and remember that I am sending you, heal the sick and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’” – Luke 10:3-9
Jesus is saying that the miracles pointed to His identity as Son of God, sent for the purpose of salvation. Jesus describes the faith journey of some people starting with miracles and then leading to receiving this salvation.
Miracles and then they preached the Good News:
Building shaken (Acts 4:31) (filled with Spirit)
Imprisoned apostles freed by angel (Acts 5:17-21)
Philip transported from desert to Azotus (Acts 8:40)
Man unable to walk is healed at Lystra healed (Acts 14:8-10)
Girl freed from demon possession (Acts 16:16-18)
Man unable to walk is healed (Acts 3:1-10)
Aeneas healed after eight years of paralysis (Acts 9:32-35)
Dorcas restored to life (Acts 9:36-41)
Paul freed from prison by earthquake (Acts 16:25-27)
What should we do?
1. Consider what miracles would be a sign of God’s love and the Good News.
2. Get a few people to agree with you in faith, asking God for the miracle.
Book suggestion with practical help in praying for miracles: “Faith for Healing Wisdom for Health” by Wendell Smith