A Miracle on the Way to Prayer

Acts 3

Today you have joined me while I’m traveling through the book of Acts. I have arrived in the third chapter and am wondering about the place of miracles in the fledgling church and in the church today.

From chapter two we learn that the first organized church in Jerusalem had settled into a devotional life style that Luke, the author of Acts, describes like this:

⁴¹ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

I like the translation that says…then awe came upon everyone…this seems to better describe how they must have felt as they witnessed the glory of God unfolding around them.

In chapter 3 Luke takes time to give the details of a certain notable miracle since it resulted in a remarkable in-gathering of people to the faith (5,000…2,000 more than the Pentecost outpouring…Acts 4:4) and the first official government opposition to the gospel. Read it and next time we will focus on this question. What dynamics were in play that set the stage for this notable public display of God’s glory? In other words complete this sentence: This miracle would not have happened if …