Continued Power and Growth

Acts 5:12–13 (NASB95) 

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 

Acts 5:12-13 describes the impact of the apostles' ministry and the events surrounding Ananias and Sapphira on both the believing community and those outside it. Verse 12 highlights the continuation of signs and wonders performed by the apostles among the people. These miracles, performed through the laying on of hands and prayer, served as a powerful testament to the apostles' authority and the reality of God's power at work in the early church. While potentially idiomatic, the phrase "through the apostles' hands” also aligns with the biblical tradition of God using human agents to accomplish His purposes. These miracles, echoing those following the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, further solidified the believers' faith and drew attention to the growing Christian movement. 

The believers continued to gather together in Solomon's Colonnade, a covered area within the temple complex. The apostles' continued use of the temple indicates their view of it as a place of end-time renewal for Israel. Their presence in this prominent public space made their activities visible to a wider audience. This is a good example for us today. How can we use the events and activities of our community to increase the visibility of our church's activity and expand the number of believers? This should be one of our focal points.  

Verse 13 describes a mixed reaction from those outside the believing community. While the people, especially the elite in Jerusalem, held the believers in high regard, a sense of awe and fear prevented them from joining their ranks. The word "join" (κολλᾶσθαι) in this context suggests that it likely refers to becoming a follower of Christ, not merely associating with the apostles or the larger group of believers. This fear was likely influenced by the judgment that had fallen upon Ananias and Sapphira but could also stem from an unwillingness to fully commit to the perceived radical changes in lifestyle practiced by the early church. They respected the Christians but didn't want to commit fully. The same situation exists today. 

Although we do not see the same displays of miraculous power as frequently as they did in the first century, this does not mean that God is not active or no longer using human agents in miraculous ways today. He still uses His Church – that means me and you. Can you perceive where God has been active in your life? Are you sharing what God is doing in your life with others? 

Blessings, 
 
Ryan Goodnight