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Day 13: The Role of Signs and Wonders in the Early Church (Acts 9)
In the Book of Acts, the miraculous is woven into the fabric of the early church’s story. From healings to resurrections to supernatural interventions, signs and wonders were a regular part of the apostles’ ministry. These miracles weren’t just spectacular events; they were powerful testimonies to the truth of the Gospel and the presence of God among His people. In Acts 9, we see this clearly in two distinct miracles performed by Peter: the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha (also called Dorcas) from the dead.
When Peter arrived in Lydda, he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, unable to walk. In a simple but powerful moment, Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat” (Acts 9:34). Immediately, Aeneas was healed, and his miraculous recovery led many in the town to turn to the Lord. Not long after, Peter traveled to Joppa, where he was called to the bedside of Tabitha, a beloved disciple who had passed away. Peter prayed, and then he spoke directly to her, saying, “Tabitha, get up” (Acts 9:40). She opened her eyes, sat up, and her resurrection became known throughout Joppa, causing many more people to believe in the Lord.
These miracles remind us of two critical truths about signs and wonders in the early church: they pointed people to Jesus and they demonstrated the power of the Gospel.
1. Miracles Point People to Jesus:
In both cases, the miracles Peter performed weren’t just about healing for healing’s sake. They served a higher purpose—to draw people to Christ. When Aeneas was healed, it was a testimony to the people in Lydda and Sharon that Jesus was real and that His power was at work through Peter. Similarly, when Tabitha was raised from the dead, the news spread quickly, and many believed as a result. The miracles themselves were signs, pointing beyond the physical healing to the spiritual truth of who Jesus is. This is the purpose of all signs and wonders in the Kingdom of God—they are meant to direct our attention to God’s glory and draw us closer to Him.
2. Miracles Demonstrate the Power of the Gospel:
The early church was not built on human wisdom or persuasive speech, but on the demonstration of God’s power. These miraculous events were tangible proofs that the message the apostles preached was true. They showed that the Gospel was not just words—it was a message that carried the life-transforming power of God. When the people saw the sick healed and the dead raised, they recognized that this wasn’t the work of men but of God Himself. The miracles gave credibility to the apostles’ message, and people responded by putting their faith in Jesus.
As leaders today, we might not always see the same kinds of physical miracles that Peter performed, but we are still witnesses to the miraculous work of God in the world around us. Every time someone’s heart is changed by the Gospel, it is a miracle. Every time someone is delivered from addiction, depression, or any other form of bondage, it is evidence of God’s power. The same Spirit who empowered Peter to perform miracles is at work in us today, enabling us to bring the transformative power of the Gospel to a world in need.
While we should never chase after signs and wonders for their own sake, we should remain open to the ways God may choose to demonstrate His power in and through our lives. Whether through healing, provision, restoration, or spiritual breakthroughs, God is still in the business of doing the miraculous. And as leaders, we have the privilege of being vessels through which He works.
Reflection Questions:
- How have you seen the power of God at work in your life or in the lives of those around you? What signs of His presence have you witnessed recently?
- Are you open to God using you as a vessel for His miraculous work? How can you be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in this area?
- How can you encourage those you lead to recognize and celebrate the miraculous ways God is working in their lives?
The miracles in Acts 9 serve as a powerful reminder that God’s power is not limited to a particular time or place. While our culture may sometimes downplay the miraculous, we must never forget that the same God who healed Aeneas and raised Tabitha from the dead is at work today. He is still moving, still healing, and still transforming lives. As leaders, we are called to be channels of His grace, pointing people to Jesus and demonstrating the life-changing power of the Gospel.
Let’s lead with expectancy, knowing that God desires to do great things through us. Let’s pray with boldness for God to work in ways that are beyond our natural understanding, and let’s celebrate every evidence of His miraculous presence in our lives and communities. When we allow God’s power to flow through us, we not only strengthen the faith of those around us—we point them to the One who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.