Apostles Miracles in Acts February 04, 2023

 Apostles Miracles in Acts                       February 04, 2023

 

We are covering the miracles of our Lord Jesus, were 1000’s are following Jesus, after His death, most left Him, with only 120 in the upper room for the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given.

 

We know the Apostles did miracles, but what were they.  Do any come to mind.  With so much sickness today, healing is an important thing in life.

 

The Apostle Paul's ran from his calling and conversion in 33 A.D. to his death as a martyr around May or June in 68 A.D, before the fall of Jerusalem.  Paul served about 35 years, probably into His late 60’s to early 70’s of age.   During this period God performed many miracles, signs and wonders through Paul, Peter, John and the other Apostles to confirm what was taught to him from the Lord Jesus.

 

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus blessed His apostles with the ability to heal sickness and expel evil forces. 

 

Matthew 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Verse 2 calls them Apostles.

 

Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

 

Notice Matthew added sickness and Luke added authority, so we know what the Apostles were able to do. What about the writer in the Book of James

 

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  (15)  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

 

Apostle Peter heals lame man since birth at the gate of the Temple

 

Acts 3:6-7 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."  (7)  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. {Name of Jesus}

 

Apostle Peter around with the death of Ananias and Sapphire

 

Acts 5:3-6 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  (4)  While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."  (5)  Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.  (6)  And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 

 

Acts 5:7-11 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  (8)  And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much."  (9)  Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."  (10)  Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. (11) So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

 

The Apostles did many signs and wonders

 

Acts 5:12-16 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.  (13)  Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.  (14)  And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,  (15)  so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 

(16)  Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.  {added because of signs and wonders}

 

 

 

The Apostles Peter and John conferred the Holy Spirit

 

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,  (15)  who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  (16)  For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (17)  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  {Samaria?}

 

The Apostle Peter heals Aeneas who was bedridden eight years and was paralyzed

 

Acts 9:33-34 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.  (34)  And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately.

 

The Apostle Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead

 

Acts 9:40-41 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.  (41)  Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

 

The Apostle Paul received a miracle by removing his blindness

 

Acts 9:17-18 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."  (18)  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

 

Notice, Ananias called Saul, brother Saul.  It is used in the Scriptures and in some way hard to say it.

 

Apostle Paul blinded a wicked man for a time 

Acts 13:9-12 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him {Elymas} (10)  and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?  (11)  And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.  (12)  Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. {Tradition had Barnabas killed because of Elymas} 

Apostle Paul signs and wonders, people believed in Jesus - miracles 

Acts 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 

Such as healing the sick, curing the lame, casting out devils; and the like, whereby a testimony was given to the truth of the doctrine they preached: and it may be observed, 

What about Paul miracle of the cripple man at Lystra 

Acts 14:8-10 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.  (9)  This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,  (10)  said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. 

These circumstances are mentioned, to show that his case was incurable by any human art, and to illustrate the following miracle. 

Paul Stoned at Lystra, miracle brought Paul back to life 

Acts 14:19-20 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  (20)  However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

Apostle Paul cast out unclean spirit, a demon 

Acts 16:16-18 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.  (17)  This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."  (18)  And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 

Apostle Paul miracle released from prison 

Acts 16:25-26  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  (26)  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. 

Apostle Paul raised Eutychus from the Dead 

Acts 20:9-12 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.  (10)  But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him."  (11)  Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.  (12)  And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted. 

Apostle Paul shakes off a viper 

Acts 28:3-6 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  (4)  So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 

(5)  But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.  (6)  However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 

Apostle Paul healed Publius father 

Acts 28:7-8 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.  (8)  And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 

Apostle Paul healed many on Malta 

Acts 28:9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 

Let’s look at Acts 19, interesting things to find out about Apostle Paul 

Apostle Paul laid hands on 12 men filled them with Holy Spirit 

Acts 19:1-2 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples  (2)  and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 

Acts 19:3-5 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.  (4)  Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."  (5)  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

This tells us what John baptism was all about. 

Acts 19:6-7 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  (7)  There were about twelve men in all. 

Acts 19:8-9 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.  (9)  But when some were hardened {Jews} and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 

The name Tyrannus means “our tyrant” is a common one.  It is an inscription as that of a physician in the court. A suggestion the possibility that a relative of this physician was lecturing on medicine in Ephesus and so as a friend of Luke, the physician, would be glad to help Paul with a place to preach. 

It was probably a public building or lecture hall with this name whether hired by Paul or loaned to him. A pagan teacher often spoke in such halls. 

Acts 19:10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 

Apostle Paul unusual miracles from God 

Acts 19:11-12 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,  (12)  so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 

Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 

Note the article, “the Jesus,” as if to identify the magic word to the demons with the addition “whom Paul preaches.” They thought that success turned on the correct use of the magical formula. 

Acts 19:14-15 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  (15)  One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?" 

This is interesting, the demon world knows about the Apostle Paul 

Acts 19:16-18 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.  (17)  When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.  (18)  Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 

Acts 19:19-20 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.  (20)  In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.. 

Looking At the Apostles miracles, they included miracles, healings, casting out demon, and raising of the dead and they were done to get people attention so the message about Lord Jesus could be given. 

Something to think about, all the people who experience the miracles of Jesus, only 120 was at Pentecost.  Belief in Lord Jesus is far deeper than miracles. 

As we close, some general thought. 

Satan has power to do miracles through his apostles and workers 

Acts 8:19-20 saying, "Give me {Simon} this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."  (20)  But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 

This tells me that Satan cannot give the Holy Spirit to anyone.  It is a gift from the Father. 

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 

They do this to draw people away from the Lord Jesus 

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders,  (10)  and every type of evil to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them. 

Revelation 13:2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 

Revelation 13:7 It was granted to him {Beast} to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.  {granted like Job} 

Revelation 13:12-13 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  (13)  He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.