now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. and they were all together in solomon’s portico. none of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. and more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. the people also gathered from the towns around jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. [acts 5:12-16]

 

these signs and wonders are a specific answer to the apostle’s prayer in acts 4:30: “while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

this passage seems so foreign in this day and age. if we focus on the healings and signs themselves, it can feel like God is no longer moving like he once was (though he certainly is still moving and is exactly as powerful today as he was 2000 years ago and has been for all eternity).
but the apostle’s weren’t asking for healing in itself, though that’s what they prayed for. they were pleading for God to move in a way greater than they could ever imagine. pleading for God to convince people of the gospel of Jesus. they were pleading for revival… and for God to be glorified through it.
and God answered in power: “14 and more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.”
today, let’s plead for God to move not only because we need healing or some other sort of sign or wonder, but because we desire revival in our schools, neighborhoods, work places, and even churches, and for God to be glorified as the people around us see answered prayer.
~ john sandman