Through the Bible in One Year

Day 193

Acts 5:12-16

After the troubling events of yesterday’s passage, today we come to a passage that is full of light and hope.  Because in today’s passage we see more evidence of the change that the baptism in the Spirit brought on the disciples.  For in today’s passage we are going to hear evidence that the disciples were performing the same signs and wonders that Jesus himself performed.

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.—5:12-16

The Apostles continued to perform miracles to magnify Christ.  The healings were quite unusual.  It is noteworthy that “all” who came to them were healed.  The response was phenomenal, hundreds if not thousands were added to those who believed in the Lord.  That the people believed and then were added to the Church underscores that faith in Christ is necessary for someone to become part of the Church.

The leaders among God’s people were so completely filled and overflowing with God’s presence through the Holy Spirit that God’s miraculous power was with them wherever they went.  Even indirect contact with them brought miracles from God.  Of course, these material objects had no magical or supernatural qualities in themselves; but even the slightest item or shadow represented a point of contact and, mixed with faith, brought God’s presence in supernatural ways.  These actions were evidence that Jesus’ disciples were continuing to do just as their Lord had done: they healed people and freed those tormented with evil spirits.  This was a key sign and evidence that God’s kingdom had come and was active among the people with great power.  It is always pleasing to God for us to pray that through the Holy Spirit we might do good and heal those troubled and oppressed by sickness and Satan.  And that is were we will pick up tomorrow as we finish Acts chapter 5.

Tomorrow’s Bible Readings:

1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36, Romans 10:1-15, Psalm 10:1-15 and Proverbs 19:6-7