After the Ananias and Sapphira incident, God continued to work in power. Acts 5: 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.[1] The apostles did these healings in Jesus’ name and out of compassion for those suffering. But more than that, these miraculous signs were done to validate Jesus’s resurrection and the new church’s ministry.
Peter reminded those in Jerusalem that Jesus’s miracles, signs, and wonders showed that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Acts 2: 22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.[2] The church continued to operate in Christ’s power, confirming His teaching and presence.
Healing From a Shadow
The Holy Spirit was at work in the new church. Acts 5: 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed. [3]
Something similar happened to Paul in Ephesus. Acts 19: 11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. [4] There is always an unknown quality about God’s healings. God likes to do unique things.
We want to think that if God did this kind of thing, then it would only be fair for Him to continue doing this for everyone. But it doesn’t seem to work that way. Remember, even all the people God healed through Peter and Paul eventually died. God can do what He knows seems best, and we must trust that He is good. God still works miraculously through His followers if we only look carefully.
Depending on the Holy Spirit
The apostles could not have performed these miraculous signs and wonders without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The same is true for us today. God has called the church to demonstrate who He is. This may be through miraculous healing or in other ways that God chooses.
Through prayer, the Holy Spirit may lead the church to build a school, housing project, or medical clinic to help those outside the church. This may require miraculous funding and staffing. These things can bring the good news of Jesus and transform people with God’s love.
So, what is happening in your church that could only be explained by the presence of His Spirit at work? What are you attempting that could not be done without the power of the Holy Spirit?
To learn more about miraculous signs and wonder, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/ananias-sapphira
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.