RESPONSES TO THE GOSPEL
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for your Word and for its power to transform me. Use it to give me a greater vision for the work you are continuing to do in and through me.
Read ACTS 5:12–16
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you need a miracle today? Ask God to intervene in your situation.The early days of the church in Jerusalem must have been so exciting. People were being healed left, right, and center: even Peter’s shadow was bringing healing. The apostles must have thought often of Jesus’ promise that they would do greater works than he did (John 14:12).
Ignoring the first church was not an option for those living nearby: the believers gathered in a public place (v. 12) and probably made a lot of noise. It’s hard to keep quiet when you’ve just been miraculously healed! So, the local people had to make a choice. Either believe and join the church (v. 14) or keep as far away as possible (v. 13). Indifference was not an option.
I wonder why people remained skeptical in the face of so many miracles. Maybe they thought it was all a fraud, or they might have believed the miracles to be demonic, as Jesus was accused of in Matthew 12:24–28. Perhaps some foresaw the coming persecution and were afraid of what would happen to them if they joined. And maybe there were some who just wanted to get on with their ordi- nary lives and not have to face up to the fact that God was doing something new. I suspect many of the reasons are similar today.
Apply
What responses can you offer when excuses are given to the evidence and call of Jesus?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, make your presence known in my church community to such an extent that those on the outside respond to him.
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