Week #14 — Many and Multitudes
Perhaps one of the more misused words in our culture today is the word ’miracle.’ To hear it tossed around in any number of situations, the term seems to have become little more than a linguistic tool. Consider a few examples: “It’s a miracle that we found a parking spot at Easton!” “It was a miracle they actually showed up on time.” “All of us getting along through the holidays—that’ll take a miracle!” Such phrases, while admittedly hyperbolic, over-spiritualize any and every event, so that ‘miracle’ loses its meaning.
In the church, we might use the term ‘miracle’ more carefully, but still misunderstand its nature and purpose. Pulling select Bible verses out of context, we drive into one of two theological ditches. By focusing solely on verses like Psalm 115:3—“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” — we might become fatalistic, thinking that our faithful prayers for miracles do not matter at all because God ignores us and does what he wants. Alternatively, by focusing solely on statements of Jesus like Mark 5:34 or 10:52—“Your faith has made you well” — we might believe that, with enough faith (our own or that of a holy, anointed person), we can control God’s power to perform unexplainable, supernatural acts. The truth sits on the solid pavement between each theological ditch. God is sovereign and sets forth his purposes from all eternity. Yet he often uses our temporal prayers as his chosen means to work his miracles.
In the short passage of Acts 5:12-16, people are coming into the church in droves—so much so that they are moving out of Solomon’s Portico and into the streets. They may come for “signs and wonders,” but they are here for a different, ultimate purpose. Read the passage together and then use the discussion questions below.
In Christ,
Pastor Ken
Week #14 — Questions
- Pastor Ken noted the purpose of “signs and wonders” (v12) was to confirm the message (Gospel) and authenticate the messengers (apostles). Why would that have been necessary at this early stage of the church?
- Read Acts 4:29-30. What context does this give us for the “signs and wonders” of this passage? Who was actually doing them, and how do they come about?
- Should we also pray for God to do miraculous works today? Because we no longer need the message or messengers verified—we have the Bible now—what purposes do miracles serve?
- In v13, we read that other believers and outsiders are hesitant to join the ministry of the apostles. Why is that understandable, given what we have witnessed so far in Acts? What causes people today to “esteem” the church or its leaders? What should we do about that?
- The middle verse of the passage (v14) describes the “multitudes” of new believers—more coming in now than ever before. Why do you think Luke wraps this central verse with descriptions of miraculous works?
- What should we make of the detail about Peter’s shadow falling on the sick? What does this tell us about public perception of the apostles, and how God used that to overcome the hesitancy of many people who didn’t dare to join them?
- Why do you think Luke mentions the healings of both sickness and those afflicted by unclean spirits? What does that dual emphasis reveal about the scope of Christ’s authority?
- Read Acts 1:8. How does v16 suggest this ministry expansion is beginning to happen? What can we similarly do today regarding people that God has placed on the outer edges of our reach?