Signs and Wonders

Acts 5:1–16 | November 2, 2025

Introduction

Have you ever been overwhelmed by power? Maybe you’ve seen something massive—like the power of creation or a force of nature—that left you in awe. The truth is, nothing compares to the power of God—the power to heal, to create from nothing, to save.
Do we truly realize how awesome and glorious God is?

Main Idea:
Fear God and receive the gospel that has the power to save.
(Ephesians 3:20–21) – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Luke uses a literary pattern of story–summary–story–summary throughout Acts (2:42–46, 4:32–35, 5:12–16).
Here we see two demonstrations of God’s power:

1. His judgment for deceit within the church, producing fear (vv. 1–11).

2. His grace in healing the sick and oppressed, revealing the power of the gospel (vv. 12–16).

Key Verse:

“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.” — Acts 5:12

1. Signs and Wonders Are Purposeful

Definition:

• Signs (sēmeia): Miraculous acts that point to truth—they reveal God’s message and redemptive purpose.

• Wonders (terata): Acts that produce awe—they cause people to marvel at God’s greatness.

These miracles were not random. They authenticated God’s message and revealed His power and person.

Biblical Examples:

• Moses and Elijah: Miracles validated their divine message—delivering Israel and calling them back to true worship.

• Jesus and the Apostles: Miracles confirmed the gospel message and the authority of its messengers.

“God does not shake miracles into Nature at random… They come on great occasions.” — C.S. Lewis, Miracles

Dangers of Overemphasizing Signs and Wonders:

1. We Make It About Us.
   We crave the gift more than the Giver—seeking comfort, health, or prosperity rather than holiness.
   But sometimes God’s greatest good is not removing our pain, but revealing His gospel power through it.

2. Desiring Signs Can Reveal Unbelief.
   (Matthew 12:38–40) — An evil generation seeks a sign. The greatest miracle—Christ’s resurrection—has already been given.

3. Signs Can Be Falsified.
   (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10) — The enemy uses false wonders to deceive.
   We must “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Truth, not experience, is our final authority.

2. Signs and Wonders Produce Fear of God (5:1–11)

Summary:
Ananias and Sapphira sold property but secretly kept part of the proceeds while pretending to give it all. Peter exposed their deceit, and both fell dead before the church. “Great fear came upon the whole church.”

This was a threat from within, not from persecution outside.
Luke contrasts them with Barnabas (Acts 4:36–37), whose generosity was genuine.

Key Observations:

• “Satan filled your heart” (v. 3) — deceit is a demonic work, just as with Judas.

• “Kept back” (v. 2) — same word used for Achan’s sin (Joshua 7).

• Motivation: greed and desire for approval, not fear of God.

Application:
God sees our hearts. Motives matter.
When hypocrisy enters the church, unity suffers. Truth and authenticity are essential for the body of Christ to thrive.

“Put away falsehood… speak the truth with your neighbor.” — Ephesians 4:25

This miracle of judgment wasn’t normative—it was purposeful. God was teaching His church that holiness, honesty, and fear of Him are essential to unity.

3. Signs and Wonders Point to the Gospel (5:12–16)

God continued to demonstrate His mercy and power through the apostles.
The sick were healed, demons cast out, and multitudes believed.

Purpose of Miracles:
To validate the message of the gospel and point people to Christ.

“And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” — Acts 5:14

Spiritual Reality:
The greatest miracle is not physical healing—it’s the transformation of the human heart.

“The most miraculous thing that happens to most of us is that we become Christians at all.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Scriptural Support:

• Acts 26:18 — The gospel opens blind eyes and sets people free from Satan’s power.

• John 6:24–27 — Jesus warned people not to chase temporary signs, but the eternal food of salvation.

Every miracle is temporary—Lazarus died again, the 5,000 were hungry again—but salvation endures forever.
Signs and wonders reveal the gospel—the ultimate display of God’s power to save.

Conclusion

Fear God and receive the gospel that has the power to save—then share it boldly!
Tell the next generation “the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:4).

The greatest sign and wonder is the story of Jesus—His incarnation, His death, His resurrection.
When was the last time you shared that story?