Acts Chapter 3
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mk 16:20)
The Lord working with them
At this time, the Lord Jesus had ascended to heaven, leaving the apostles to complete the mission of preaching the gospel. Even so, Jesus did not leave them to work alone, but He was still with them, working with them.
On the day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell among the disciples and to establish the church for salvation. According to the promise in Matthew 28:20, as long as the church holds fast to the pure truth, Jesus would be with the disciples until the end of the world.
Accompanying signs
Here records the first miracle performed by the apostolic church, which opened the door of the gospel. This was followed by the persecution from the members of the Sanhedrin. For the gospel did not come in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Through miracles, God’s power will be revealed, God’s grace will come to all, and more importantly – miracles will lead lost people back to God.
Confirming the Word
Miracles accompany the gospel in order to confirm that the word that is preached is from God. Jesus also once said, ” Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” (John 14:11).
Based on miracles performed by Jesus, even the Pharisee Nicodemus had to admit that he was from God (John 3:2). Miracles are also used to prove the spiritual authority that is unseen, that is, the forgiveness of sins. Jesus once commanded the paralysed to get up and walk in order to prove that He had the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:9-12).
When the Holy Spirit established the True Jesus Church, miracles followed wherever the Gospel was preached; and all these beautiful things were recorded in the history of the true church. With the growth and maturity of the church, it seems that we do not see as many miracles as before.
What has changed? Is it because of the times? Is it God? Is it the hearts of people? This is worthy of our consideration.
