The place of signs and wonders in advancing Christ’s kingdom.

Tbe place of signs and wonders in advancing Christ’s kingdom.

Acts  8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

Signs and wonders always play major role in advancing the kingdom of Christ.

John  4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Our Lord false prophets will take advantage of ignorant believers on account of false miracles.

Matthew  24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  24:25 Behold, I have told you before.  24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

The church at Jerusalem grew and multiplied on account of miracles wrought among the people.

Acts  3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.  3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?  3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.  3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts  4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts  5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.  5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

The miracles of healing And raising the dead.

Acts  9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.  9:33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.  9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.  9:35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.  9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.  9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Same thing happened in the ministry of apostle Paul.

Acts  19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:  19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.  19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

No wonder Jesus promised that signs and wonders shall be done by all believers through His name.

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Let us pray.