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Day 5: Miracles and Signs as Validation of the Gospel (Acts 3)
In Acts 3, Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame from birth, begging at the temple gate called Beautiful. The man was seeking money, but what he received instead was something far more valuable: healing in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter’s famous words, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6), changed the man’s life forever. He immediately jumped to his feet, praising God as he walked for the first time.
This miraculous healing wasn’t just an act of compassion for the man—it was a demonstration of the power of the Gospel. The miracle drew a crowd, and Peter used the opportunity to proclaim the message of Jesus to those who had witnessed the event. Acts 3:16 tells us that it was by faith in Jesus’ name that the man was healed, and this healing became a sign that pointed people to the truth of the Gospel.
In the early church, miracles and signs served as divine validation of the apostles’ message. They weren’t performing miracles to draw attention to themselves but to demonstrate the reality of God’s power and the truth of the Gospel. These acts of healing, deliverance, and other signs confirmed that Jesus was alive and working through His followers.
As leaders today, we may not always witness physical miracles like those in the Book of Acts, but that doesn’t mean that God is any less active. Miracles still happen—both in ways we can see and in ways that are less visible but no less significant. Every time someone’s life is transformed by the power of God, it’s a miracle. Every time a heart is softened to the Gospel or a person is delivered from addiction or healed from emotional pain, that’s a sign of God’s miraculous work.
Miracles serve as a reminder that God’s power is still at work in the world today. While we should not seek signs and wonders for their own sake, we should be open to the ways God chooses to move in our lives and the lives of those we lead. Miracles are not an end in themselves; they are meant to point people to Jesus.
Peter and John’s boldness in performing the miracle was rooted in their faith in Jesus, not in their own abilities. They knew that it was the name of Jesus that brought healing and transformation. As leaders, we must remember that it’s not about what we have to offer in our own strength but about what God can do through us when we rely on Him.
Reflection Questions:
- How have you witnessed God’s power at work in your life or in the lives of those around you?
- Are you open to the possibility of God performing miracles in unexpected ways?
- How can you point others to Jesus through the ways you’ve seen God move, whether through physical healing, spiritual transformation, or other signs of His presence?
Today, reflect on how God might be using you to bring His power into the lives of those around you. Whether through acts of service, prayer, or simply sharing your testimony of what God has done, you have the opportunity to point people to Jesus. Just as Peter and John allowed God to work through them, may we be open to the miraculous ways He wants to use us to validate His Gospel and draw others to Himself.