Miracles Through the Early Church - Part 3

Review:

· More than the apostles – signs follow believers

· Jesus said that THESE signs will follow believers, not just apostles.

· Since the early church were also believers, God did miracles through them too!

Jesus MULTIPLIED His MIRACLES through His Early CHURCH

The anointing of the Holy Spirit was not limited to Jesus

The anointing of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the 12 apostles

The anointing of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the 72 disciples

The anointing of the Holy Spirit was also given to over 120 believers after the Lord’s resurrection

· in Luke 4 – the early church was just as anointed as Jesus

· Jesus gave all believers, starting with the early church, the legal power of attorney to use His NAME - in His NAME!

Luke 4:18–19 NLT

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Background:

· Jesus was raised from the dead and shown Himself alive to 500 eyewitnesses over a period of 40 days.

· Before He then ascended again to heaven, He told the 11 apostles and other followers, to wait in Jerusalem until they all received the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which would come 10 days later, on the Day of Pentecost.

All 120 believers spoke in foreign languages (Acts 2:4)

Acts 2:1–4 NLT

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

· “Believers” - Included the 12 apostles, Jesus’ brothers, and the Mother Mary

The Early Church UNITED Miraculously

While the book of Acts draws attention to the miracles of certain individuals, they only stemmed FROM the miracles IN the corporate body of the church herself.

The “Miracle” of Unity in the Church

Acts 2:42–47 NLT

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Life Lesson: Miraculous promotion (growth) comes from miraculous devotion

Personal application: the end time church will have early church growth if we will have early church devotion

Is your ministry stunted? Look at your level of order and submission!

The Early Church PRAYED Miraculously

Believers Prayed for Miraculous Boldness when threatened - Acts 4:23-24

Acts 4:23–24 NLT

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—

The Early Church PREACHED Miraculously

Believers Spoke Boldly - Acts 4:29-31

Acts 4:29–31 NLT

29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

The Early Church GAVE Miraculously

Acts 4:32–35 NLT

32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

The Early Church Had Miraculous GROWTH - Acts 6:1

· The believers multiplied rapidly

· The Apostles delegated 7 deacons to serve food to widows.

· 7 men who were selected, respected, full of the Spirit, and full of wisdom

Miracles respect ORDER

Acts 6:5 NLT

5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

Miracles respect AUTHORITY

Acts 6:6 NLT

6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

The greatest miracle is salvation - especially of former enemies

Acts 6:7 NLT

7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

· Let’s let God do the sane through us!