Friday, January 25, 2008

Dejunk our Life Series

 

Acts 5:12 “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.” 

 

Signs and Wonders

 

The early Christian church was marked by signs and wonders that they interpreted as God moving through their midst.  In that day, as well as our day, when people recognize the signs and wonders, they are deeply affected by them.   When we read the book of Acts we see that the early Christian community interpreted many different things as signs and wonders indicating again, God’s workings in their midst.   In Acts 2, suddenly, as Peter was preaching, a wind filled the house where the early Christians were meeting.  Tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and they began speaking in other languages.  They ran outside and as they spoke about God’s message, Pathanians, Medes, Elamites, people of Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, people from Libya, Cyreme, Rome, Cretans, and Arabs all heard the message and 3,000 came to believe.  They saw this as a sign of God’s presence; an event that was one of great wonder.

 

In Acts 2:42ff early Christians began selling their possessions so that people in the Christian community who were in need would be cared for.  Knowing the heart of men, this they also interpreted as a sign and wonder.

 

One afternoon, Peter and John were walking in the Temple courts.  As it tells in Acts 3:1ff a man who had been unable to walk from birth asked them for money.   Peter said, “Look at us.”  Then he said, “Silver and gold I do not possess but what I have I give to you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”    And this man began running all over the place.   This story too, the community saw as a sign and wonder.    

 

In Acts 5 there is a story of a couple, Ananias and Sapphira who lied to Peter to gain esteem in the Christian community.   Peter as revealed to him through the Holy Spirit told them they had lied to God.   First, the husband fell dead and was buried.   His wife came in three hours later not knowing what happened.  Peter asked her the same question he asked her husband and she, too, lied.  When confronted she died instantly.  This event truly caused wonder in the people’s hearts and they saw it as a sign of the seriousness of Christian commitment.   

 

The book of Acts tells story after story of what the Christian community interpreted as the signs and wonder of God.   I know God is constantly working in our community of faith.  But I wonder how many people see the amazing works of God.    Signs and wonders are not so uncommon today.   Do we take the time to see them?   

 

Prayer:

 Dear God, help me to see the amazing truths of your signs and wonders.   Amen.