Signs and Wonders

New Testament V: Acts Earth Became a Heaven

Earth was becoming like heaven, for their way of life, boldness of speech, wonders, for all besides. Like angels were they looked upon with wonder.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

It’s days like today that make me question my life choices. Way back in January, I sat down and planned out what I would be preaching on through the Easter Season. As I was looking at things, I realized that I’d never actually preached from the book of Acts before. I’ve been a pastor for just shy of four years, so it’s not all that surprising, but I figured it was time to do it. So I put it down on paper and decided to figure out the details later.

Then this week hit. Having been asked to fill in for Pastor Hoyer, I figured I’d better look at the text earlier rather than later so that I’d know what I’m talking about. Or at least, that was the theory. Then I read it. Signs and wonders. Multitudes of men and women. Peter’s shadow. The sick and possessed all healed. Even a miraculous prison break! What in the world!? Chances are, you’re having some of the same thoughts I had when I first read through these verses. First, it’s pretty incredible—the apostles working signs and wonders that help bring multitudes to the faith. Then, it gets a little out there for us, with people hoping that Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them. But then we get really uncomfortable. If this is how God worked in the early church, why doesn’t He work this way today?

The more you think about it, the discrepancy seems to grow. Notice the words Luke uses to describe the miracles these apostles are doing. He calls them “signs and wonders.” Our God is a God of signs and wonders. And He has been from the beginning.

Way back in the book of Genesis, we hear about God creating signs for His people. After God floods the entire earth, He makes a covenant with the only people left on the planet, Noah and his family. “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."

13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

In the Exodus, as God is working to bring His people out of slavery in Egypt, He gives Moses signs and wonders to perform so that all people would know who the true God is. As Moses recalled later in life, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

During the days of the kings, war was rampant, even civil war: Israel versus Judah, North versus South. In one instance, God promised He would not let Judah be defeated. To prove it, “the Lord himself would give them a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Roughly 700 years later, that Son was born. It happened in a small town that had become swollen with people because of a census. But how would this child be recognized? God sent angels to a group of shepherds to announce the Good News. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

When that child grew up, he performed sign after wonder: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons, even raising the dead. But for some that wasn’t enough. They needed bigger and better signs. “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Our God is a god of signs and wonders. Right along those same lines, we hear today’s reading. The apostles are performing signs and wonders, miracles that point to who God is, acts that prove their words are true. Here in the book of Acts, among these disciples of Jesus, God is at work. He is working the way He’s always worked by providing signs and wonders to bolster the proclamation of the Word, in particular, the word of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of all people.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

And I am convinced that God is still at work through signs and wonders among us yet today. But more often than not, we are blind to them. It’s not that these signs or wonders are done in secret; they happen all around us. Every time a person comes to faith in Jesus because they’ve heard the words of an ancient book, that’s a sign. When you pray that a person be healed, and they’re healed, that’s a wonder. When God puts the old Adam to death through the waters of Baptism and offers eternal life starting now, that’s God at work. When Pastor Hoyer stands right over there and speaks the Word of God over simple bread and wine and they become the body and blood of Jesus, that’s one of God’s miracles. When you are full of joy in spite of a broken world, when you’re at peace in the midst of grief or pain, when you’re patient in a world of instant gratification, you are a sign and wonder, God at work to proclaim His love for all people in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Are there knuckleheads out these that claim to be performing signs and wonders in God’s name, but aren’t? Of course. And I get it, we don’t want to be one of those churches. We don’t want to go crazy, focusing on the miracle more than the message. But just because people abuse God’s gifts doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If only you and I have eyes to see, God is still at work around us, performing signs and wonders to bolster our message.

Because our job is the same as those apostles. The angel reminded them of it as it opened the prison doors for them, “Go, and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” When you and I proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God is at work. He will support and defend your proclamation with signs and wonders. It’s not about you or me; it’s about our God who is a god of signs and wonders. Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! [He is risen indeed. Alleluia!]

Alleluia! Christ is risen! [He is risen indeed. Alleluia!]

New Testament V: Acts Relieving the Infirm

Some relate to this passage that saying of the Lord in the Gospels: “He who believes in me, the works that I do he also will do, and greater than these he will do.”

It’s days like today that make me question my life choices. Way back in January, I sat down and planned out what I would be preaching on through the Easter Season. As I was looking at things, I realized that I’d never actually preached from the book of Acts before. I’ve been a pastor for just shy of four years, so it’s not all that surprising, but I figured it was time to do it. So that’s what I decided to do; I’d figure out the details later.

Luther’s Works, Volume 26 For He Who Worked through Peter, Etc.

Peter received this power from heaven. God endowed the voice of Peter with a force that caused many to believe him and many miracles to be performed through him.

Then this week hit. Having been asked to fill in for Pastor Hoyer, I figured I’d better look at the text earlier rather than later so that I’d know what I’m talking about. Or at least, that was the theory. Then I read it. Signs and wonders. Multitudes of men and women. Peter’s shadow. The sick and possessed all healed. Even a miraculous prison break! What in the world!? Chances are, you’re having some of the same thoughts I had when I first read through these verses. First, it’s pretty incredible—the apostles working signs and wonders that help bring multitudes to the faith. Then, it gets a little out there for us, with people hoping that even Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them. But then we get really uncomfortable. If this is how God worked in the early church, why doesn’t He work this way today?

The more you think about it, the discrepancy seems to grow. Notice the words Luke uses to describe the miracles these apostles are doing. He calls them “signs and wonders.” Our God is a God of signs and wonders. And He has been from the beginning.

Luther’s Works, Volume 22 There Was a Man Sent from God.

And it was the purpose of all these miraculous deeds of Christ to induce the people to believe His preaching.

Later the apostles performed similar miracles, and even in greater number. For example, Peter’s shadow healed the people (Acts 5:15). All these deeds were wonderful, beyond imitation by an emperor, king, prince, lord, or anyone else.

Way back in the book of Genesis, we hear about God creating signs for His people. After God floods the entire earth, He makes a covenant with the only people left on the planet, Noah and his family. “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."

In the Exodus, as God is working to bring His people out of slavery in Egypt, He gives Moses signs and wonders to perform so that all people would know who the true God is. As Moses recalled later in life, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there.”

Luther’s Works, Volume 4 11. But the Angel of the Lord Called to Him from Heaven and Said: Abraham, Abraham!

Christ says (John 14:12): “Greater works than these will he do who believes in Me, and I go to the Father,” that I may be almighty in you. These marvelous works terrify the demons, delight the angels, and comfort the godly.

But away with the ungodly, lest he see the glory of God! For the world does not see the Spirit of truth; nor does it know Him. “You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). The Jews indeed saw Christ raising Lazarus (John 11:45), and Peter healing with his shadow (Acts 5:15).

During the days of the kings, war was rampant, even civil war: Israel versus Judah, North versus South. In one instance, God promised He would not let Judah be defeated. To prove it, “the Lord himself would give them a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles The Third Picture of the Mother Congregation in Jerusalem

The important feature in all these healings is the fact that contact was in some way sought with the person transmitting the healing. The διά in v. 12 states that the Lord used the apostles as the personal media for the signs and wonders. It was throughout his power that wrought the healing.

Roughly 700 years later, that Son was born. It happened in a small town that had become swollen with people because of a census. But how would this child be recognized? God sent angels to a group of shepherds to announce the Good News. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

When that child grew up, he performed sign after wonder: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons, even raising the dead. But for some, that wasn’t enough. They needed bigger and better signs. “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign,” Jesus said, “but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

The important feature in all these healings is the fact that contact was in some way sought with the person transmitting the healing. The διά in v. 12 states that the Lord used the apostles as the personal media for the signs and wonders. It was throughout his power that wrought the healing.

The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles The Third Picture of the Mother Congregation in Jerusalem

More must be added. All healings emanate from the Lord and his will; the apostles are no more than his instruments. Once this is understood, we shall not lay stress on the will or the consciousness of the apostles. In Matt. 9:20 it was the will of Jesus that healed the woman who touched the tassel of his robe from behind. It is his will that operated through the apostles, through their hands (v. 12) and through Peter’s shadow. As far as the will of the apostles was concerned, this was wholly in accord with the will of Jesus. The rich outflow of healing power from Jesus at this time meets the abundant faith that sought this healing power and manifested itself in such striking ways.

Our God is a God of signs and wonders. Right along those same lines, we hear today’s reading. The apostles are performing signs and wonders, miracles that point to who God is, acts that prove their words are true. Here in the book of Acts, among these disciples of Jesus, God is at work. He is working the way He’s always worked by providing signs and wonders to bolster the proclamation of the Word, in particular, the word of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of all people.

And I am convinced that God is still at work through signs and wonders among us yet today. But more often than not, we are blind to them. It’s not that these signs or wonders are done in secret; they happen all around us. Every time a person comes to faith in Jesus because they’ve heard the words of an ancient book, that’s a sign. When you pray that a person be healed, and they’re healed, that’s a wonder. When God puts the old Adam to death through the waters of Baptism and offers eternal life starting now, that’s God at work. When Pastor Hoyer stands right over there and speaks the Word of God over simple bread and wine and they become the body and blood of Jesus, that’s one of God’s miracles. When you are full of joy in spite of a broken world, when you’re at peace in the midst of grief or pain, when you’re patient in a world of instant gratification, you are a sign and wonder, God at work to proclaim His love for all people in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 210.

The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles The Third Picture of the Mother Congregation in Jerusalem

Here the promise of Jesus regarding healings and signs was fulfilled in a notable manner; the miracles of the apostles appeared as a direct continuation of the extensive healings wrought by Jesus himself. His power in and through the apostles thus in the most manifest way connects their work with the work he did during the days of his earthly ministry. The success was phenomenal.

Are there knuckleheads out these that claim to be performing signs and wonders in God’s name, but aren’t? Of course. And I get it, we don’t want to be one of those churches. We don’t want to go crazy, focusing on the miracle more than the message. But just because people abuse God’s gifts doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If only you and I have eyes to see, God is still at work around us, performing signs and wonders to bolster our message.

The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles The Twelve Arrested and Miraculously Released

We make no apology as far as the veracity of Luke’s account is concerned. We find no legendary element in the narrative, no clothing of any fact in symbolical form, no friendly jailor or courageous Christian who released the apostles.

Because our job is the same as those apostles. The angel reminded them of it as it opened the prison doors for them, “Go, and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” When you and I proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God is at work. He will support and defend your proclamation with signs and wonders. It’s not about you or me; it’s about our God who is a god of signs and wonders. And the sign, the wonder above all signs and wonders is what we’re celebrating this Easter season—that just as Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of the great fish, so Jesus lay dead and buried for three days before rising again to life.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! [He is risen indeed. Alleluia!]

The Resurrection of the Son of God 2. Acts

God’s raising of Jesus from the dead is the sign that salvation is found in him alone, which in turn is the explanation for the remarkable healing performed by Peter and John (4:5–12). The whole early Christian message can be summed up in the phrase ‘this life’ (5:20). When we find, in this context, that Peter raises a widow from the dead, and that Paul likewise restores to life an apparently dead boy, the reader of Acts is bound to feel that such incidents cohere with the underlying theological message—and with events reported in the gospels. This is a time of life, of restoration, of resurrection.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.