Apostolic Preaching and Miracles in the Book of Acts

Introduction

After the Spirit descends at Pentecost, the church bursts into life with extraordinary power and growth. The apostles begin to preach boldly, performing miracles that authenticate their message, and the community of believers continues to expand. In Acts 2–7, Luke presents a vivid portrait of the early Jerusalem church: it is Spirit-filled, centered on apostolic teaching, marked by signs and wonders, and committed to communal life.

This section of Acts demonstrates how the apostles’ proclamation and miraculous works embody continuity with Jesus’ ministry while also inaugurating something new. Their preaching is saturated with Scripture, centered on the resurrection, and empowered by the Spirit. Their miracles echo Jesus’ healings and signs, providing visible testimony that Christ is still active through his followers. Together, preaching and miracles form a double witness that validates the message of the Gospel and advances the mission of the church.

This chapter will explore the key features of apostolic preaching and miracles in Acts 2–7. We will examine the structure and themes of Peter’s sermons, the role of miracles in validating witness, the theological emphases of early Christian proclamation, and the communal context of these events.

Part 1: Apostolic Preaching in Acts

1. Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (Acts 2:14–36)

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost sets the template for apostolic preaching.

• Scriptural grounding: Peter interprets Joel 2, Psalm 16, and Psalm 110, showing how Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation fulfill prophecy.

• Christocentric focus: The climax is the declaration: “God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified” (2:36).

• Call to response: Peter calls for repentance, baptism, forgiveness, and reception of the Spirit (2:38).

This sermon highlights three core elements of apostolic preaching: fulfillment of Scripture, proclamation of Christ, and call to conversion.

2. The Healing of the Lame Man and Sermon in Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:1–26)

In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate. The miracle draws a crowd, and Peter delivers another sermon:

• Miracle as opportunity: The healing provides the occasion for proclamation.

• Jesus glorified: Peter insists the man was healed by faith in Jesus’ name (3:16).

• Prophetic fulfillment: He quotes Moses (Deut. 18:15) and other prophets to show Jesus as the promised one.

• Call to repentance: Again, Peter urges repentance and promises forgiveness (3:19).

3. Defense Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:5–12)

When arrested, Peter boldly testifies before the Sanhedrin:

• Christ as cornerstone: He cites Psalm 118:22, declaring Jesus the rejected stone made cornerstone.

• Exclusivity of salvation: “There is salvation in no one else” (4:12).

• Boldness through the Spirit: Luke notes the leaders’ astonishment at the apostles’ courage, attributing it to the Spirit.

4. Summary Statements

Acts often inserts summary statements that describe the apostolic message:

• “With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (4:33).

• “Day after day… they did not cease teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah” (5:42).

These summaries highlight the centrality of resurrection and the consistency of proclamation.

Part 2: Key Themes in Apostolic Preaching

1. The Resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection is the heart of apostolic preaching. Every sermon proclaims that God raised Jesus from the dead, validating him as Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:24; 3:15; 4:10).

2. Fulfillment of Scripture

The apostles interpret the Hebrew Bible as pointing to Christ. Joel, Psalms, and prophets are read through the lens of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This hermeneutic connects the new movement to Israel’s story.

3. Christological Exaltation

The apostles stress Jesus’ exaltation to God’s right hand (2:33; 5:31). His resurrection is not only vindication but enthronement as ruler.

4. Call to Repentance

Preaching demands a response: repentance, baptism, and faith. Forgiveness and the Spirit are promised to those who believe.

5. Universality of the Message

Though initially addressed to Jews in Jerusalem, the message anticipates expansion to “all who are far away” (2:39). Apostolic preaching is inherently missional.

Part 3: Miracles as Apostolic Witness

1. Continuity with Jesus’ Ministry

The apostles’ miracles echo Jesus’ works: healing the lame (Acts 3), exorcisms (Acts 5:16), even raising the dead later (Acts 9:40). This continuity confirms that Jesus’ ministry continues through his followers.

2. Validating the Message

Miracles function as signs authenticating apostolic witness. When the lame man is healed, Peter insists the true significance is that Jesus is alive and working (3:16).

3. Summaries of Signs and Wonders

Acts repeatedly notes “many signs and wonders were done through the apostles” (2:43; 5:12). These signs produce awe, attract crowds, and demonstrate the Spirit’s power.

4. Miracles and Opposition

Miracles also provoke opposition. The healing in Acts 3 leads to arrest in Acts 4. Miracles cannot be denied (4:16), but they threaten established power structures.

Part 4: Opposition and Boldness

1. Arrests and Trials

The apostles face arrest, threats, and beating. Yet they respond with boldness, declaring, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (5:29).

2. Prayer for Boldness

After release, the church prays not for safety but for boldness: “Grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal” (4:29–30). This prayer reveals the union of preaching and miracles as divine mission.

3. Growth Amid Persecution

Despite opposition, the community grows: “More than ever believers were added to the Lord” (5:14). Persecution only fuels proclamation.

Part 5: Communal Context

1. Unity and Sharing

The community’s radical generosity (Acts 4:32–35) provides a social context that reinforces apostolic witness. Miracles and preaching occur within a fellowship marked by love and justice.

2. Discipline and Purity

The story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) shows that the Spirit’s presence requires integrity. Miracles include not only healings but also acts of judgment.

3. Priestly Opposition and Popular Favor

While religious leaders oppose the apostles, the people hold them in high esteem (5:13). The church lives in tension between favor and persecution.

Part 6: Theological Reflections

1. Word and Deed

Apostolic ministry integrates word and deed. Preaching proclaims Christ; miracles embody his power. Together, they reveal the holistic nature of the Gospel.

2. The Spirit as Empowering Presence

Both proclamation and miracles are attributed to the Spirit. The Spirit gives boldness in speech (4:31) and power in works (5:12).

3. The Centrality of the Resurrection

The apostles are witnesses “of these things” — above all, the resurrection (2:32; 3:15; 5:32). The resurrection grounds both preaching and miracles.

4. Continuity and Expansion

The apostles continue Jesus’ ministry but also expand it, reaching new audiences and confronting new challenges.

Suggested Assignments

1. Exegetical Paper on Acts 3–4

   • Write a 3,000-word paper analyzing the healing of the lame man and Peter’s sermon. Discuss the relationship between miracle and proclamation.

2. Theme Study: Resurrection in Apostolic Preaching

   • Trace references to the resurrection in Acts 2–7. Write a 2,500-word essay on why it is central to apostolic witness.

3. Comparative Study: Jesus’ and Apostles’ Miracles

   • Compare miracles in Luke’s Gospel and Acts. Write a 2,000-word essay on continuity and development.

4. Opposition and Boldness

   • Write a 2,000-word paper on how opposition in Acts 4–5 strengthens rather than hinders the church’s mission.

5. Creative Assignment

   • Write a 1,000-word monologue from the perspective of the healed lame man in Acts 3. How would you testify to Jesus’ power?

References

Barrett, C. K. (1994). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Acts of the Apostles (Vols. 1–2). T&T Clark.

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of Acts (NICNT). Eerdmans.

Dunn, J. D. G. (1996). The Acts of the Apostles. Epworth.

Gaventa, B. R. (2003). The Acts of the Apostles. Abingdon.

Johnson, L. T. (1992). The Acts of the Apostles. Sacra Pagina. Liturgical Press.

Keener, C. S. (2012–2015). Acts: An exegetical commentary (Vols. 1–4). Baker Academic.

Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts (TNTC). IVP.

Parsons, M. C. (2008). Acts. Paideia Commentary. Baker Academic.

Witherington, B. (1998). The Acts of the Apostles: A socio-rhetorical commentary. Eerdmans.

Wright, N. T. (2012). Acts for everyone (Vols. 1–2). SPCK.