Acts 5:12-16 "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."
"By the hands of the apostles," v. 12.
While there are many today who claim to be apostles, yet, according to the biblical definition, there are no longer any alive who qualify according to Acts 1:20-22. They had to be someone who had been an eye witness with the disciples, not only of the LORD Jesus’ life on earth, but also His death and resurrection. The apostle Paul considered himself as an apostle born out of due time, 1 Corinthians 15:8. Nevertheless, he was still an apostle according to this requirement as he would have been an eye witness of the LORD Jesus during His earthly life and crucifixion. Being a Pharisee of Pharisees, he would have likely been on the council that condemned our LORD to death. After our LORD’S resurrection and ascension, our risen Savior encountered Paul on the road to Damascus and arrested him there, converting his soul. It was then revealed that Paul was all along one of the LORD’S chosen vessels for whom Christ had paid the sin debt. Paul testified to the Galatians that he was separated from his mother’s womb, and called by grace, WHEN it pleased God to reveal Christ in him, Galatians 1:15. None but these eyewitnesses of Christ were given the authority and power to heal the sick and raise the dead. Even then, it was not according to their own power, but as the Spirit of the LORD directed, and that only to confirm their preached Word, until the Scriptures were complete. Hebrews 2:4- “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…”
Signs and wonders wrought among the people…v. 12
These were not arbitrary, but according to the prophecies of the Old Testament scriptures that Jesus is THE CHRIST, that One who should come, Matthew 11:3-5. His coming was to be accompanied by these signs and wonders that as the apostle John declared in John 20:30, 31. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Only the Word of God, brought home to the heart of the LORD’S redeemed converts the soul, 1 Peter 1:23. However, the signs and wonders were an affirmation to the truth of the Christ the apostles preached, and today, with the complete revelation in the inspired Word even Peter declared, ‘we have a more sure Word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Only an evil and an adulterous generation continues to seek signs and wonders. It is not a sign of spirituality, but of unbelief. Those who are the LORD’S rest in His Word, and believe the record God has given of His Son, 1 John 5:11.
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