SIGNS AND WONDERS

As the infant church continued to go and grow, God endorsed their ministry and message via amazing miracles! “Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles” (Acts 5:12). Amazing!

Daily, the new Christ-followers “were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade” (Acts 5:12), a covered patio-like area in the temple complex. As Peter stood to share the Gospel, it was impossible to disregard his message. That God was working through the Apostle was undeniable. “They would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed” (Acts 5:15-16).

On one occasion, “Peter was traveling from place to place … he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years” (Acts 9:32-33). With unwavering faith in Jesus’ power to heal, “Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” and immediately he got up’ ” (Acts 9:34). As a result, many placed their faith and trust in Christ (Acts 9:35).

On another day, a faithful Christian lady named Tabitha died. Invited to her bedside, Peter “knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up” (Acts 9:40). The dead came to life! It shouldn’t surprise anyone to read: “This became known throughout (the region), and many believed in the Lord”(Acts 9:42).

Does God still perform signs and wonders? Are miracles only a thing of the past?

Granted, I’ve never seen the body in a casket suddenly sit up, alive. And I’ve never seen a quadriplegic jump up and dance! But I have seen the broken made whole, the frustrated find peace, and I have seen the hopelessly lost and spiritually dead, find abundant, eternal life in Christ! Now, that’s amazing!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).