The Book of Acts
Lesson Number 22
TRANSLATION LEGEND: ALT = Analytical-Literal Translation (2005), AMPLIFIED = Amplified Bible (1965), ASV = American Standard Version (1901), BBE=Bible in Basic English (1949), DRA = Douay-Rheims (1899), ERV = English Revised Version (1885), ESV = English Stand Version (2001), GNB = Good News (1966), GWN = God’S Word (1995), IE = International English, ISV = International Standard Version (1967), JPS = Jewish Publication Society (1917), KJV = King James Version (1611), L.ITV = Literal Translation of the Bible ((1976), LIVING = Living Bible (1971), MKJV = Modern KJV (1962), MONTGOMERY = Montgomery’s New Testament (2001), MRD = Peshitta-James Murdock Translation (1852), NAB = New American Bible (2002), NASB = New American Standard Bible (1977), NAU = New American Standard Bible (1995), NIB = New International Bible, NIV = New International Version (1984), NJB = New Jerusalem Bible (1985), NKJV = New King James Version (1979), NLT =New Living Translation (1996), NRSV = New Revised Standard Version (1989), PHILLIPS = J B Phillips New Testament (1962), PNT = BISHOP’S New Testament (1595), RSV = Revised Standard Version (1952), TNK = JPS Tanakj (1985), Webster = The Webster Bible (1833),WEYMOUTH = Weymouth’s New Testament (1903), WILLIAMS = William’s New Testament (1937), TYNDALE = Tyndale’s Bible (1526), WYCLIFFE = Wycliffe New Testament (1382), YLT =Young’s Literal Translation (1862).
---------- Lexicon and Bible Translation Codes with Identification -----------
LEXICON LEGEND: FRIEBERG = Friberg Lexicon, UBS = UBS Lexicon, LOUW-NIDA = Louw-Nida Lexicon, LIDDELL SCOTT = Liddell Scott Lexicon, THAYER = Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, LEH = LEH Lexicon, GINGRICH = Gingrich Lexicon
DISCLAIMER: The quoting of other translations is not to be taken as a condoning of them. My purpose is rather to show the remarkable diversity, and sometimes outright contradictions that exist among these various versions of Scripture. Our understanding of the Word of God ultimately depends upon our comprehension of the Lord Himself and His eternal purpose. Where this understanding is not present, we are shut up to scholasticism and conjecture, both of which are of the world, not of God.
DIVINE INFLUENCES
“ 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” (Acts 5:12-16)
INTRODUCTION
The church has been purged of Ananias and Sapphira, and the people have been seized by great fear. Judgment had begun in the house of God, just as Peter would write much later, and just prior to his appointment with death (1 Pet 4:17). The government had been placed upon Christ’s shoulder, as Isaiah had prophesied (Isa 9:6-7), and He was adjudicating that Kingdom with “all power in heaven and earth,” which had been given to Him (Matt 28:18). Believers were “added” to the church by Him (Acts 2:47), and those who proved to be unworthy were removed from it, as the fifth chapter of Acts confirms. The latter activity – removing Ananias and Sapphira – and was followed by a wake of fear throughout the church, and among all others who heard of the matter.
However, this does not bring a cessation to the working of the Lord among the brethren, as those in the flesh might be prone to think. Instead, the work seems to accelerate, now that the “old leaven” has been purged out of the assembly. When Corinth had uncomely people among their number, Paul wrote, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor 5:7). When iniquity is found among the people of God, it is always detrimental, and must be dealt with in forthrightness and discretion. This has been done, and now our text proceeds.
Many signs and wonders are wrought “among the people” by the apostles. There continued to be a remarkable unanimity among the people of God, as they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch, where the initial opposition arose. Fear – even trembling fear – did not stop them from assembling, being of one accord, or continuing in the apostles’ doctrine.
There was a sense among the general populous of the things that were occurring among the believers. Those who were not in Christ Jesus did not dare to join themselves to the church. There seemed to be a lively sense of the holiness of God upon every soul – so much so that insincere people were afraid to be numbered with the disciples.
THE FRESHNESS OF NEW LIFE REVEALED
The freshness of newness of life is revealed in this text. There is a total break with empty ceremony and lifeless rituals. The people were gathered together in a place noted for ceremony and ritual, yet such are not evidenced in their gatherings.
There are a number of firsts in this text. Permit me to mention them so they will be more obvious as we go through the next few verses.
➪ For the first time, we read about people being afraid to be identified with this body of believers (5:13a).
➪ Outsiders magnified or praised the believers (5:13b).
➪ People were said to have been “added to the Lord” (5:14a).
➪ For the first time, women are mentioned as being added (5:14b).
➪ People sought to have the even the shadow of Peter pass over the sick 5:15).
➪ For the first since Jesus returned to heaven, everyone was healed (5:16).
The nature of new life is clearly emerging in the book of Acts. This is what happens when people are “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:11). These are the results of having the laws of God written upon the heart and put into the mind. This is what occurs when the people acknowledge the true God to be their own, and He identifies Himself with them. When the people know God, as everyone in the New Covenant does, these are the things that can take place.
Permit me to briefly review what has been said to this point of receptive and believing hearts,
➪ “These all continued with one accord” (1:14).
➪ “They were all with one accord in one place” (2:1).
➪ “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (2:37).
➪ “They that gladly received the word were baptized” (2:41).
➪ “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
➪ “Fear came upon every soul” (2:43).
➪ “And all that believed were together, and had all things common” (2:44).
➪ “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (2:46).
➪ “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand” (4:4).
➪ “They lifted up their voice to God with one accord” (4:24).
➪ “ . . . they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (4:31).
➪ “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (4:32).
➪ “ . . . great grace was upon them all” (4:33).
➪ “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold” (4:34).
➪ “ . . . and great fear came on all them that heard these things” (5:5).
➪ “ . . . and great fear came upon all the church” (5:11).
➪ “ . . . and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch” (5:12).
The prophets foretold that the age of the Messiah, the era of the New Covenant, would be characterized by dramatic changes. It was not to be a period of new laws, but rather of new life and holy aptitudes. The recollection of some of their statements is like holy fragrance that clears the air of spiritual contaminants.
➪ A CIRCUMCISED HEART. “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live” (Deu 30:6).
➪ PROTECTION IN THE MIDST OF DANGER. “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” (Isa 32:2).
➪ GOING FROM UNDISCERNING TO DISCERNING. “And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly” (Isa 32:4).
➪ GOING FROM INABILITY TO ABILITY. “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert” (Isa 35:6).
➪ A HIGHWAY OF ULTIMATE SAFETY. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (Isa 35:8).
➪ MAN NO LONGER AT VARIANCE WITH GOD’S LAW. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33).
➪ FAMILIARITY WITH GOD. “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer 31:34).
➪ TOTAL NEWNESS OF CHARACTER. “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezek 11:19-20).
➪ THE HOLY SPIRIT PUT WITHIN. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezek 36:27).
➪ PURENESS OF SPEECH, AND ONENESS AMONG THE PEOPLE.“For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent” (Zeph 3:9).
What we are witnessing in the book of Acts is the RESULT of these Divinely instituted changes. The character of the people, as well as their marvelous unity, is the result of walking in the “newness of life” (Rom 6:4). No regimented procedure could have produced such changes. This was not the result of special tutoring by the apostles on how to live. This is what happens when the Father and the Son take up residence in men. Jesus promised, “If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23). Technically speaking, spiritual empowerment does not come because we love Christ and keep His words. It is the indwelling of the Father and the Son that follows these responses, that is the source of this much-needed empowerment.
When Christ and man are united through the Holy Spirit, and through faith there is a participation with the Lord. The only limits imposed upon man relate to the choice, will, and purpose of God. There is no point at which the Lord relinquishes the government of His Kingdom to men. Their insight and participation in the Kingdom directly relate to Divine discretion and purpose. That is why Jesus said to His apostles, “I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt 17:20).
The execution of mighty works among men is not at the behest of the will of man. The government of the Kingdom is with the exalted Christ, not men. All accomplishments within that Kingdom are according to Divine purpose – the grand master plan that drives all that God does. His will is associated with the details of that plan, and nothing is accepted by Him outside the perimeter of that will. His choice involves the selection of those who become a part of what He is doing. Our text will focus particularly upon His apostles, which have been placed “first” in the church.
When God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven – something for which Jesus taught us to pray (Matt 6:10) – the purpose of God is accomplished by His determined will being done through men of His choice. Faith is the appointed means through which it is done. This will become very apparent in this text as we behold what is done through Christ’s appointed men, as well as what is done within them. It will be evident that men cannot cause such things to happen. Apart from Christ, they are simply impossible. They are the Lord’s doing!
SIGNS AND WONDERS WERE WROUGHT BY THE APOSTLES
“ 5:12a And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people . . . ” Other versions read, “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people,” NIV “Now a number of signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the Apostles,” BBE “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles,” ESV “Thus by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders showed among the people,” GNV “The people saw the apostles perform many miracles and do amazing things,” GWN “And through the hands of the apostles came many signs and wonders among the people,” YLT “Meanwhile, the apostles . . . did many remarkable miracles among the people,” LIVING “ The apostles did many miracles and powerful things among the people,” IE “Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles,” WEYMOUTH “ Now many signs and wonders were continuously being performed by the apostles among the people,” ISV “Now by the hands of the apostles (special messengers) numerous and startling signs and wonders were being performed among the people,” AMPLIFIED and “Many signs and wonders were now happening among the people through the apostles' ministry.” PHILLIPS (part of v 15)
This is the third time miracles are said to be have done through the hands of the apostles.
➪ THE DAY OF PENTECOST. “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43).
➪ AT THE TEMPLE. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:6-8).
➪ FOLLOWING THE DEATHS OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch” (Acts 5:12).
This is the second time that the apostles are said to have worked a multiplicity of signs and wonders – “many wonders and signs” and “many signs and wonders.” When the disciples prayed for boldness to be granted to them to speak the Word of God, they supplicated, “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:30). Now, that is precisely what is taking place. Their supplication is being answered.
Notice that their prayer was that they might be granted boldness to speak the word through this means. In referring to such incidents, Mark says the Lord was “working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20). Speaking of this beginning of the Gospel Paul also wrote of, “so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?” (Heb 2:3-4). This was not extraordinary men doing extraordinary things, but God working through men in strict accordance with His own will. That is how we must think of this text.
The Spirit is not establishing an official doctrine concerning the working of miracles, even though men have done their best (or worst) to establish such a teaching. I come from a background where the attempt was made to limit the period during which miracles were wrought. Others go to the opposite extreme, saying that it is always God’s will to work miracles, and that you ought to expect Him to do so. Neither position has been revealed from God, but is rather only the imaginations of men.
Many
The word “many” comes from a Greek word meaning, “multitude, many, numerous, great . . . abundant, plenteous.” THAYER “of extent or magnitude great, large much, many, plentiful,” FRIBERG “for a large sum,” UBS “a great deal of, a great number,” LOUW-NIDA and “many, numerous, great, populous.” LEH The idea is that of abundance, and great in type or order.
Throughout the history of the world, there have been exceedingly few periods of time in which signs and wonders were in plentitude.
The Plagues of Egypt
The first outbreak of several miracles occurred prior to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The epochal signs were ten in number, and unparalleled for sheer magnitude.
1. WATER TURNED TO BLOOD. (Exodus 7:14-25) – Rivers and other water sources turned to blood, and all the fish in them die, causing the water to stink. Water in all vessels was also turned to blood, and the Egyptians could not drink the water from the river.
2. PLAGUE OF FROGS. (Exodus 8:2-8:11) – The plague of frogs, coming out of the river and covering the land, and entering every Egyptian house.
3. PLAGUE OF LICE. (Exodus 8:16-18) – The plague of lice. The sand became lice throughout all the land of Egypt, covering both man and beast.
4. PLAGUE OF FLIES. (Exodus 8:21-28) – The plague of swarms of flies, filling every house in Egypt and corrupting the land.
5. LIVESTOCK PLAGUED. (Exodus 9:1-3) – A grievous plague was imposed upon on all the livestock in Egypt, including cattle, horses, asses, camels, oxen, and sheep.
6. PLAGUE OF BOILS. (Exodus 9:8-12) – The plague of festering boils that broke out upon every man and beast in Egypt.
7. PLAGUE OF HAIL AND FIRE. (Exodus 9:13-35) – Hail mixed with fire, with the hail beating down, killing every beast in the fields, and destroying all of the grain..
8. PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS. (Exodus 10:4-15) – Plage of locusts that covered the ground so the earth could not be seen. They ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left, and nothing green remained in the land.
9. THICK DARKNESS. (Exodus 10:21-29) – Thick darkness covered the land that could be felt. For three days the Egyptians were not able to see one another, and no one left their house.
10. DEATH OF ALL EGYPTIAN FIRSTBORN. (Exodus 11:1-12:36) – The death of all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, to the firstborn of the maidservants, and of even the beasts.
Israel experienced several miraculous things in their journey through the wilderness. Daily miracles included being led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex 13:21), the provision of manna (Ex 16:35), their clothes not becoming old (Deut 8:4a), and their feet not swelling (Deut 8:4b). There was the miraculous provision of water (Ex 17:6; Num 20:11), and the healing of polluted waters (Ex 15:25). There were also miraculous judgments, such as consuming fire (Num 11:1; 16:35), a plague of poisonous snakes (Num 21:6), and the ground opening up and swallowing rebels (Num 16:32). These, together with some great deliverances, occurred over a period of forty years.
Aside from these occasions, and with the exception of the prodigious ministry of Jesus, clusters of miracles were exceedingly rare. In fact, there were very lengthy periods of time during which no miracle was recorded. One such time was in the days of Gideon, during which he asked an angel, “where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of?” (Judges 6:13). However, in the book of Acts, within a period of a few days, there has already been two periods in which “many” signs and wonders have been done (Acts 2:42; 5:21). This was more owing to the time than to abilities imparted to men.
Signs
The term “signs” presumes that there is some overriding reality that is being established. The “sign” is pointing to a fact that has been obscured by either circumstance or obtuseness. In this case, the reality was the Gospel itself, which proclaimed the exalted Christ and the opening of the door of salvation – neither of which could be detected by human senses. In addition to this, and in answer to the prayers of the church, boldness was granted through this means for the word of God to be preached boldly and confidently.
Wonders
A “wonder,” by definition, is a “portent, or prodigy” – something that foreshadows a coming event. THAYER Again, the wonder itself is not the point, but what it moves people to consider. In this case, it would be the unquestionable presence of God Almighty, to whom all men are accountable.
As is apparent, signs and wonders are not an end of themselves. That is, after they have been witnessed, they are not intended to leave the people thinking about what they have seen. Rather, the Person and cause behind the signs and wonders, together with the message that is being declared, are to be pondered.
An Unjustified Trend
It has now become fashionable in certain Christian circles to speak of your miracle – some special supernatural work tailored particularly for you, and with your personal interests in mind. While there may be some small fragment of reality in the statement, it is exceedingly small, and much like a jewel in a swine’s snout (Prov 11:22). Such a view tends to contradict the centrality of Divine purpose, and the working of God according to His own will. Miracles have never been an end of themselves, but have always been an indication of something greater that was to be apprehended. I do not believe any person can support the statement that God wants every person to have their own miracle. In fact, Jesus Himself contradicted this doctrine when He said in His hometown synagogue, “But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27).
God does not work with a primary interest in men, but with His own immutable purpose in mind. His works are consistently “done in truth,” not with a mind to simply please men (Psa 33:4). He is not merely sympathetic in His works, but is declared to be “holy in all His works” (Psa 145:17). It is never right to approach the subject of the miraculous as though mankind was at the center of Divine purpose, or was ever the sole object of His focus.
The Apostles and Miracles
To this point in Acts, no one but the apostles have worked a sign or wonder. As I understand it, this reflects the superior rank of the Apostles as the foundation of the church – that is, they laid down the foundation upon which faith and hope could be built. In view of their position, they were given power to confirm the truth of what they were speaking by working signs and wonders that substantiated that message. However, their miracles were never designed to merely satisfy the desires of any given person. If that was their objective, then the fact that they did not stamp out all illness would be evidence of a respect for persons.
Rather, the miracles that came through their hands were precisely after the manner of those wrought by the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus said of His miraculous works, “the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me” (John 5:36). And again, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19). Like their Lord, the apostles did not come to satisfy the quest of men for the miraculous, or to resolve everyone’s problems. By their very nature, the working of the miraculous is always discretionary, and in strict accordance with the Divine agenda. I know of no exception, in any age, or under any circumstance, to this rule.
A False View of Apostolic Empowerment
During my early days, I was taught that the apostles received the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit, which accounted for their ability to work miracles. Their reception of “the gift of the Holy Spirit” was thus declared to be different from that of the ordinary believers. Of course, such a teaching is dashed to the ground in the account of the conversion of the house of Cornelius. Peter confirms that God gave the household of Cornelius the Holy Spirit “as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). Aside from magnifying God in other languages, the household of Cornelius is nowhere noted for working miracles as did the apostles – even though they received the same Spirit in the same manner as the apostles. In addition to this, Peter declared that the “gift” received by those on the day of Pentecost was available to the multitudes who heard him, and to “all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39).
To my knowledge, the promised coming of the Spirit is not specifically associated with the working of miracles, as ordinarily conceived. This includes promises by the prophets, and the Lord Jesus Himself.
➪ “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring” (Isa 44:3).
➪ “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezek 36:27).
➪ “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).
➪ “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Matt 10:19-20).
➪ “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).
➪ “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
➪ “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning” (John 15:26-27).
➪ “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).
➪ “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:14).
Later, other men will work miracles, including Stephen (Acts 6:8), Philip (Acts 8:6), and Ananias (Acts 9:17-18). Also, Paul will write that one of the gifts God placed in the church was “the working of miracles” (1 Cor 12:10). However, even that gift, so far as rank is concerned, was put into the church only “after” the gifts of apostles, prophets, and teachers had been given (1 Cor 12:28) – and then it was given to certain individuals and not to every member of the body (1 Cor 12:29).
The point here is that nothing in Scripture suggests to us that God has determined that miracles would become common among His people, so that everyone has a right to expect one to be wrought particularly for them. To begin with, that would contradict the very concept of a miracle, which is a departure from the norm.
This does not mean that God has determined a time when miracles will no longer be possible among His people on the earth. It does mean that they are always wrought in strict accordance with His will, and with His established purpose in mind. Miracles are always circumscribed by the purpose of God and the faith and spiritual condition of His people.
It might also be noted that many of the professed miracles of our time are not of the same order as those recorded in Scripture. Many of them, though they may very well involve answers to prayer, would appear out of place if they were recorded in Scripture. This is not to be construed as a denial that the hand of the Lord is working among His people.
This rather has to do with the loose and unwarranted use of words like “miracles,” “signs,” “wonders,” and the likes. For such things to become commonplace would make them counterproductive. One of the powerful testimonies of miracles, signs, and wonders is their uniqueness. The fact that they are not common is what draws the attention of people to them.
Dealing with Mark 16
Following Christ’s commission to “preach the gospel to every creature,” promising that “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned,” Jesus gave a word concerning certain signs that would follow. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
There are some who affirm that this is a general word to all of the churches, and is intended for every believer. It all sounds innocent enough, yet such a representation is not made by any writer of Scripture. No church was told such a thing. No new believers were promised this was intended for them – i.e., something that would follow every person who believed.
This promise does not obviate the subjection of all things to the Lord. Nothing is here sanctioned that is not in strict comportment with the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Neither, indeed, does this mean that every time anyone believes, these signs will break forth. The text refers primarily to those who preached the Gospel, and secondarily to this who believe that Gospel. The signs follow by Divine discretion, and are nowhere declared to be automatic. Even in the book of Acts, there were times when such signs are not said to have followed those who believed. Cases in point include the following.
➪ When the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia believed (Acts 13:48).
➪ When the Philippian jailor and his household believed (Acts 16:34).
➪ When certain in Athens believed (Acts 17:4).
➪ When Crispus, his household, and many Corinthians believed (Acts 18:8).
During Paul’s stay in Iconium, where several did believe, many signs and wonders were wrought by Paul and Barnabas (“they”). The record is carefully stated, and confirms the miracles did not simply take place automatically. “Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3). The word “granted” is truly discretionary. It does not refer to some law or principle that had been set in motion. That ought to be apparent.
We cannot be overly simplistic in our understanding of the Lord’s words in Mark sixteen. Just as in His own ministry, the confirmation of His word was according to the strict prudence of the Father. When it is appropriate for such workings to occur, they will be done in accordance with the will of the Lord and the presence of faith. We know this did not happen every time someone believed the Gospel.
➪ There is no record of any of them occurring among those who believed on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-47).
➪ None of them occurred when about five thousand men believed in the
Temple (Acts 4:4).
➪ None are recorded as being wrought by believers when the whole city of Samaria believed, where the miracles are said to have been done by Philip (Acts 8:6-7).
➪ One of them took place at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:46).
➪ In their report of the great conversions among the Gentiles, Barnabas and Paul made no reference to the believers themselves doing such thing, but plainly declared the “miracles and wonders” were wrought by them personally (Acts 15:12).
➪ None of these miracles were reported to have happened at the conversion of Lydia’s household (Acts 16:14-15).
➪ None are said to have taken place among the Philippian jailor’s household (Acts 16:32-34).
➪ There is no record of them in the household of Crispus and “many of the Corinthians” (Acts 18:8).
➪ Those who believed in Achai are not said to have wrought such signs (Acts 18:27).
➪ One of the signs was wrought in certain disciples from Ephesus who believed (Acts 19:2-6).
➪ When a goodly number of people from Ephesus believed, these signs did not follow. Instead, they burned their occultistic books (Acts 19:17-20).
➪ None of the Epistles contain evidence of the working of these signs among all those who believed. Corinth was reminded of individuals among them who were granted the gift of “the working of miracles” (1 Cor `12:10) – but were also reminded all of them had not received such a gift (1 Cor 12:29).
➪ The Galatians were also reminded that certain among them “worketh miracles” (Gal 3;5), doing so according to “the hearing of faith.”
It cannot be true, therefore, that Mark 16:17-18 is intended to teach that men everywhere ought to expect the signs of reference to break out wherever men believe the Gospel. Indeed, some are bold enough to affirm that this is, in fact, what Jesus was promising. But they are not right. They are merely spouting a tradition they have received from men. How is it possible for the Head of the church to make a commitment to the church, and then the Holy Spirit omit its fulfillment in His record of conversions?
Let us thrust from us the doctrines of men, and choose to believe on the Lord Jesus, laboring in hope for Him, and, in our hearts, submitting to Him who works in accordance with His own immutable will.
There may be environments like Bethsaida in which Jesus can do “no mighty work” (Mk 6:5) – even though there were some believers from that city (Philip, Andrew, and Peter (John 1:14). There may also be a “wicked and adulterous generation” to whom the Divine nature refuses to show a sign (Matt 16:4) – even though a holy remnant of disciples may be found within it, like the apostles themselves. We cannot afford to be naive on this matter.
Why signs and wonders?
At this time, there are at least three reasons for many signs and wonders being done through the hands of the apostles.
➪ First, this was an answer to the prayer of the church just previous to this: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). This was taking place in a way that could not be denied.
➪ Second, they had been preaching in the name of Jesus, and these signs and wonders were an obvious proof of the truth of that claim. These were the type of works Jesus Himself did, and the association of the apostles with Him was now beyond all question.
➪ The results of these displays, coupled with the preaching of the powerful Gospel of Christ, confirmed that this was the purposeful and timely working of the Lord (Acts 5:14).
DOCTRINE CANNOT BE DEVELOPED FROM EXAMPLES AND PRECEDENTS
It is important to establish one more thing in regard to these matters. It is never proper to found doctrine upon examples, precedents, or human interpretation. “Sound doctrine” (1 Tim 1:10) is factual, not the result of interpretation. It consists of the affirmation of unalterable realities. True doctrine relates primarily to the Lord Jesus, and is therefore called “the doctrine of the Lord” (Acts 13:12), “the doctrine of Christ” (Heb 6:1; 2 John 1:9), and “the doctrine of God our Savior” (Tit 2:10). If we read of “the doctrine of baptisms,” the reference is not to a network of teaching developed by men. It is rather factual Divine affirmations on that subject, such as are found in Romans 6:1-23 and Colossians 2:10-15). You cannot compile a valid doctrine on baptism by gathering all of the examples of baptism and piecing them together like a puzzle. It is what the Spirit has declared on the subject that constitutes the doctrine.
Those who have confused the body of Christ with their contrived teaching on miracles have harmed the people of God. They have led people to believe that miracles are common, when, with the single exception of the ministry of Jesus, this has never been the case. Even in the book of Acts, the recording of miracles being done is not an emphasis. References to them even diminish as the book progresses. The graphic on the right charts the use of the singular and plural use of the words “miracles,” “signs” and “wonders” in all the book of Acts. I have limited the references to affirmations that an individual or individuals did these might works.
The point is that there is no apostolic doctrine concerning miracles. There is no promise to believers concerning their frequency, or guarantee of their perpetual availability. They are never an apostolic emphasis. A rebuke is never administered because they are not present within the church, and a commendation is never granted because they are present in any given assembly.
When Paul was in prison with Epaphroditus, and this brother almost died, Paul did not cry out, “Where are the miracles?” He did not claim the promise that if he laid hands on Epaphroditus he would recover. Instead, he wrote that “God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (Phil 2:27). The mercy was probably an answer to prayer – the prayer of a known miracle-worker.
In view of this, when our text affirms that “many signs and wonders were wrought among the people” “by the hands of the apostles,” we are to understand that an unusual thing was taking place – which is the whole point of the text. This marvelous working was in answer to their prayer, and it was yielding results that appropriately glorified God. We must be willing to leave the matter there, and be confident that God will continue to work in accordance with His own good pleasure. God is too holy and too powerful for men to guess about His intentions.
The frequency of such ,marvelous works will not be determined by our persuasion that they can take place. Actually, no person who has faith in God, or knows Him, has any question about the possibility of the miraculous. To develop a theological position that boldly announces that, by Divine intention, miracles have ceased, is to betray the presence of unbelief. Men do not have a right to banter about the possibility of the supernatural, or assign time periods and limitations to the discretionary working of the Lord. If they are engaged in such efforts to neutralize what they conceive to be false doctrine, let them cast down such imaginations with the assigned spiritual weaponry provided for this purpose (2 Cor 10:4-5). If they are unskilled in the use of that weaponry, they should leave iconoclastic work to those with more Kingdom understanding, who are able to wield the appointed weaponry effectively.
Men cannot control the miraculous, or make grandiose announcements about its borders or assigned time periods. It will rather be governed by what God is doing in any given generation, and whether or not there are vessels present that are “meet for the Masters use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:21).
Some generations are being judged (Lk 21:20), while others are being blessed (Matt 4:16). The eyes of some are being opened (Acts 26:18), while the eyes of others are being shut (Isa 44:18). Some are being awakened (John 5:25, while others are having the spirit of deep sleep poured out upon them (Isa 29:10). For some, desires are withheld (Matt 16:4), while for others, and answer to “the prayer of faith” is promised (James 5:15). I know of no word from God that leads to the conclusion that there will ever be a time when the Kingdom of Christ will continue to function without His involvement. If that seems ludicrous, consider that such would have to happen if the miraculous were ever to cease, and things functioned strictly according to nature, and within the boundaries of human power.
Should anyone care to postulate that such a supposition is right, they owe us an explanation of how such an arrangement brings glory to God. It appears to me that such efforts tend to glorify the institutions of men, not God. It cannot be countered that God has placed everything under men at this time. We are expressly told that this is the purpose of God, but that it is not yet being fulfilled. Thus is it written, “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus . . .” (Heb 2:8-9).
That is, the ONLY Man who presently has everything under His feet is Jesus Christ. The redeemed will have their part in that subjugation in the world to come, but not in this world.
A RECORD OF THE MIRACLES REPORTED IN SCRIPTURE
RECORDED MIRACLES ADAM TO JESUS, 4000 Years
001 The flood (Genesis 7)
002 Confusion of tongues at Babel (Genesis 11)
003 Fire on Abraham’s sacrifice (Genesis 15:17)
004 Conception of Isaac (Genesis 17:17; 19:12; 21:2)
005 Destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19)
006 Lot’s wife turned to pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26)
007 Closed womb’s in Abimelech’s house (Genesis 20:17-18)
008 Opening of Hagar’s eyes (Genesis 21:19)
009 Conception of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:21)
010 Opening of Rachel’s womb (Genesis 30:22)
011 Burning bush (Exodus 3:2)
012 Moses’s rod turned into serpent (Ex 4:3-4; 7:10-12)
013 Moses’ hand becomes leprous (Exodus 4:6-7)
014 Ten plagues in Egypt (Exodus 8-12)
015 Pillar of cloud/pillar of fire leading Israel (Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19-20)
016 Israel crosses Red Sea (Exodus 14:22)
017 Pharaoh and army drowns in Red Sea (Exodus 14:23-30)
018 Sweetening of waters at Marah (Exodus 15:25)
019 Manna for forty years (Exodus 16)
020 Quails given to Israel (Exodus 16:13)
021 Defeat of Amalek (Exodus 17:9-13)
022 Moses’ face glows from the Divine presence (Exodus 34:29-35)
023 Water from the rock (Exodus 17:5-7)
024 Miriam stricken with leprosy (Numbers 12:10-15)
025 Destruction of Korah and cohorts (Numbers 16:31-35)
026 Aaron’s rod buds (Numbers 17:1-9)
027 Scourge of serpents (Numbers 21:6-9)
028 Destruction of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2)
029 Balaam’s ass speaks (Numbers 22:22-30)
030 Jordan divided (Joshua 3:14-17; 14:16-18)
031 Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:20)
032 Midianites destroyed (Judges 7:16-22)
033 Destroying hail on confederation of kings (Joshua 10:11)
034 Sun and moon stand still (Joshua 10:12-14)
035 Dew on Gideon’s fleece (Judges 6:37-40)
036 Samson’s strength (Judges 14:6; 16:3,29-30)
037 Samson supplied with water (Judges 15:19)
038 Fall of the idol Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-4)
039 Cows return the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 6:7-14)
040 People struck with hemorrhoids (1 Samuel 5:9-12; 6:1-5)
041 Destruction of people at Bethshemesh (1 Samuel 6:19-20)
042 Uzzah struck dead (2 Samuel 6:1-8)
043 Jeroboam’s hand withered (1 Kings 13:3-6)
044 Elijah fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:6)
045 Elijah fed by an angel (1 Kings 19:1-8)
046 Elijah increases widows oil/meal (1 Kgs 17:9-16)
047 Elijah raises widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24)
048 Elijah prays it will not rain (1 Kings 17:1)
049 Elijah prays it will rain (1 Kings 18:41-45)
050 Elijah brings fire on Ahaziah’s army (2 Kings 1:10-12)
051 Elijah divides Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)
052 Elijah translated (2 Kings 2:11)
053 Elisha divides Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)
054 Elisha sweetens waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22)
055 Elisha increases widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)
056 Elisha raises Shunammite’s son from dead (2 Kings 4:18-26)
057 Elisha heals pottage (2 Kings 4:38-41)
058 Elisha feeds 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44)
059 Elisha cures Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-9)
060 Elisha puts leprosy on Gehazi (2 Kings 5:26-27)
061 Elisha causes axe head to float (2 Kings 6:6)
062 Elisha reveals counsel of king of Syria (2 Kings 6:12)
063 Elisha prays eyes of his servant will be opened (2 Kings 6:17)
064 Elisha smites Syrian army with blindness (2 Kings 6:18)
065 Dead man restored when touching Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:21)
065 Destruction of Sennacarib’s army (2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36)
066 Shadow on sun dial turned backward ten degrees (2 Kings 20:9-11)
067 Three Hebrews children delivered from fiery furnace (Dan 3:23-27)
068 Daniel delivered from lion’s den (Daniel 6:22)
069 Jonah in fish’s belly (Jonah 1-2)
070 Jonah’s gourd (Jonah 4:6)
071 Jonah’s gourd destroyed by a worm (Jonah 4:7)
Number of recorded miracles – 71. Period covered – 4,000 years. Average – a miracle every 56 years, if not clustered
MIRACLES OF JESUS
001 Water into wine (John 2)
002 Heals nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)
003 Draught of fishes (Luke 5:1-9)
004 Heals demoniac (Mark 1:23-26)
005 Heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17)
006 Cleanses leper (Matthew 8:1-4)
007 Heals paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8)
008 Heals impotent men (John 5:1-9)
009 Restores withered hand (Matthew 12:9-13)
010 Restores Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13)
011 Raises widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-16)
012 Heals demoniacs (Mark 3:11)
013 Stills the tempest (Matthew 8:23-27)
014 Casts demons our of Gadarene (Matthew 8:23-34)
015 Raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26)
016 Cures woman with issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22)
017 Restore sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31)
018 Heals demoniac (Matthew 12:23-30)
019 Feeds 5,000 (Matthew 14:15-21)
020 -Walks on raging sea (Matthew 14:22-30)
021 Heals Syrophenician woman’s daughter (Matthew 15:21-28)
022 Feeds 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39)
023 Restores deaf and dumb (Mark 7:31-37)
024 Restores blind man (Mark 8:22-26)
025 Restores lunatic child (Matthew 17:14-21)
026 Tribute money from fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)
027 Restores ten lepers (Matthew 17:11-19)
028 Opens eyes of man born blind (John 9:1-9)
029 Raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11)
030 Heals woman with spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:10-17)
031 Cures man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6)
032 Restores two blind men near Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34)
033 Curses a fig tree (Matthew 21:17-21)
034 Heals ear of Malchus (Luke 22:49-51)
035 Second draught of fish (John 21:6)
036 Resurrection from the dead (Acts 13:30)
037 Many unrecorded miracles (John 21:25)
MIRACLES WROUGHT BY CHRIST’S DISCIPLES
001 By the twelve Apostles prior to Pentecost (Matt 10:1-8)
002 By the seventy (Luke 10:17-20)
003 By other disciples (Mark 9:39)
004 By the Apostles (Acts 3:6-16; Acts 9:34-35; Acts 16:19)
005 Peter cures the sick (Acts 5:15-16)
006 Peter cures Aeneas (Acts 9:34)
007 Peter raises Dorcas (Acts 9:40)
008 Peter brings death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5,10)
009 Peter and John sure lame man (Acts 3:2-10)
010 Peter and other Apostles delivered from prison (Acts 5:19-23; 12:6-9)
011 Philip carried away in the spirit (Acts 8:39)
012 Paul strikes Elymas with blindness (Acts 13:11)
013 Paul heals cripple (Acts 14:10)
014 Paul casts out spirits and cures sick (Acts 16:18; 19:11-12; 28:8-9)
015 Paul raises Eutychus to life (Acts 20:9-12)
016 Paul shakes deadly viper from hand (Acts 28:5)
THEY WERE ALL OF ONE ACCORD
“ 5:12b . . . and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.”
The threats of the Jewish leaders have not driven the disciples underground. Rather, having been filled with the Spirit, granted boldness, and with great grace upon them all, they have returned to the Temple area with power – the very area in which they had first encountered fierce opposition. Further, it is not only the apostles that have returned, or the apostles with a handful of faithful ones. Multitudes were gathering, and they were all of one accord.
These days the professing church has degenerated into such a condition in which relatively few people in the average congregation are noted for diligence and spiritual stamina. In fact, it is exceedingly difficult, if not altogether impossible, to get all of the people together at one time. Who does not know that this is the case?
However, we must not allow ourselves to look at the contemporary church scene and think of it as being ordinary. What we see today is NOT an appropriate view of the body of Christ, but is more of an lifeless apparition – the phantom church!
What we are being exposed to in the book of Acts is the real church. This is the authentic body of Christ, over which He presides, and in which He dwells. Their manners are the ways of “the elect of God.” This is how “newness of life” makes itself known. These people do not meet beca