12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 5:12-16 (ESV) 中文

Chastening then blessing

The early church lived in community with one another; they held everything in common. People sold their property and gave the proceeds for the benefit of others. The Spirit was moving mightily. But it wasn’t all roses. As some, like Barnabas, were practicing Koinonia, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira were practicing greed. God purged the sin publicly and now brings more blessings.

Signs and Wonders

All the apostles were doing many signs and wonders. People from all the nearby towns brought the sick into the temple area (Solomon’s Portico) where they were all gathering to be healed. It must have been amazing. God was answering their earlier prayer of Acts 4:30.

Jesus had prophesied, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) And now His impact was multiplied by 12!

Fear of association

We’re not quite sure who, “the rest dared join them” (v13) are. It could be non-believers who didn’t want to risk persecution from the Jewish leaders who had earlier arrested John and Peter. In the context however, it seems more likely to be uncommitted believers (false believers) who saw what happened to Ananias and Sapphira and didn’t want to meet the same fate. This was (and is) serious business following Christ!

All healed

We can’t miss this point. It’s tied to the point above that Jesus promised and fulfilled. Just like Jesus healed everyone brought to him, so were His disciples. 

RЯeflection

• Are we taking our faith seriously? Do we count the cost? Is there something that we will not do that we know the Lord is calling us to? Something we will not give up?
• Signs and wonders were clearly being done in abundance then. Should we expect the same today? Do we?