Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Tuesday 22nd September: Acts chapter 5: 12-16
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Tuesday 22nd September: Acts chapter 5: 12-16
V12: Ongoing signs are still God’s seal upon the early church and the apostles’ ministry – the power is His, not theirs, of course. He is vindicating His Son’s Name and validating His gospel.
V13: Filled with awe and fear at what they see happening, people become afraid to join with the believers, yet hold them in high esteem. What impact do our lives and witness have today, what reactions do they cause?
V14: This was a human reaction to such demonstrations of Holy Spirit power at work, but God’s grace could and did overcome it, so that many more do join them as believers – God’s Spirit causing them to see their need of a Saviour, and bringing them to living faith in Him.
V15: What do we make of this verse? Was this merely a superstitious reaction, far short of real faith? Notice, the verse does not say such were healed. Bible teachers differ as to whether it implies it.
V16: But clearly there was God-given healing for many who were brought – from far and near – to the Apostles, through whom God worked in mercy. Do such gifts of healing continue? Christians differ about this too, of course. Let us say this – God is Sovereign, He can and does heal, sometimes quite remarkably, in accordance with His will, but we must not presume that this will – or should – always happen, and claim it as automatic.