Signs and Wonders in Acts

Ref Passage Gift Person Purpose Notes
2:1-4 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all
together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like a violent
wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house
where they were sitting. 3 And tongues spreading out like
a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of
them.4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and
they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave
them words.		 tongues 120 disciples evangelism in Jerusalem Of key importance to the message. 3000 saved
2:14 But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice,
and addressed them:		 boldness and power in speaking Peter evangelism in Jerusalem 3000 saved
2:43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders
and miraculous signs came about by the apostles.		 signs & wonders apostles community of believers almost certainly aided evangelism
3:6-8 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but
what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ
the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took
hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at
once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.8 He
jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered
the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and
praising God.		 healing Peter evangelism  
4:13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men,
they were amazed and recognized these men had been with
Jesus.		 boldness and power in speaking Peter & John evangelism  
4:29 And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and
grant to your servants to speak your message with great
courage, 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to
bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name
of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When they had
prayed, the place where they were assembled together was
shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak the word of God courageously.		 building shaken and believers filled with Holy Spirit all the believers evangelism  
5:3,9 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled
your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for
yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land?

Peter then told her, “Why have you 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!”		 prophecy Peter protecting the church purity of church
5:12 Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about
among the people through the hands of the apostles.		 signs & wonders apostles evangelism (see v14)
5:15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets,
and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came
by at least his shadow would fall on some of them.		 healing by shadow Peter evangelism  
5:16 A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem
also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled
by unclean spirits. They all continued to be healed.		 healing & casting out demons apostles evangelism  
5:19-20 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the
doors of the prison, led them out, and said, 20 “Go
and stand in the temple courts and proclaim to the people
all the words of this life.”		 Angel released them from prison apostles evangelism (see v20)
6:8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing
great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.		 signs & wonders Stephen evangelism  
6:10 Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the
Spirit with which he spoke.		 power in speaking Stephen evangelism  
7:1-53 7:54 When they heard these things, they became
furious and ground their teeth at him.		 power in speaking Stephen evangelism  
7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently
toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing at the right hand of God.		 seeing into spiritual world Stephen evangelism  
8:6-7 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to
what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous
signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying
with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were
possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed.		 healing of lame & paralysed, casting out
demons		 Philip evangelism  
8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was
baptized, he stayed close to Philip constantly, and when
he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring,
he was amazed.		 signs & wonders Philip evangelism  
8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on the
Samaritans, and they received the Holy Spirit.		 impartation of the Spirit Peter & John evangelism  
8:26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get
up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem
to Gaza.”		 angelic visitation Philip guidance for evangelism  
8:29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and
join this chariot.”		 hearing God's voice Philip guidance for evangelism  
8:39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of
the Lord snatched Philip away		 instant travel Philip evangelism  
9:3-4 As he was going along, approaching Damascus, suddenly
a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the
ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting me?”		 knocked to ground, hearing God's voice Paul Paul's salvation  
9:8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes
were open, he could see nothing.		 blindness Paul Paul's salvation  
9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias.
The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,”
and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.”		 vision of Jesus Ananias Paul's salvation  
9:12 “he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias
come in and place his hands on him so that he may see
again.”		 vision Paul Paul's salvation  
9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes,
and he could see again.		 healing of sight Ananias Paul's salvation  
9:22 But Saul became more and more capable, and was
causing consternation among the Jews who lived in
Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.		 power in speaking Paul evangelism  
9:34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ
heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” And
immediately he got up.		 healing paralysed Peter evangelism (see v35)
9:40 But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and
prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get
up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw
Peter, she sat up.		 raised the dead Peter evangelism (see v35)
10:3f About three o’clock one afternoon he saw clearly
in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him,
“Cornelius.”		 vision Cornelius evangelism  
10:10f He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they
were preparing the meal, he fell into a trance.		 vision Peter guidance for evangelism  
10:19-20 While Peter was still thinking seriously about the
vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are
looking for you. 20 But get up, go down, and accompany
them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”		 hearing God's voice Peter guidance for evangelism  
10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising
God.		 tongues Gentiles evangelism  
11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great
number who believed turned to the Lord.		 probably miracles* men of Cyprus & Cyrene evangelism * "hand of God" is usually supernatural, e.g.1
Sam 5:11, Ez 8:1, Especially Acts 13:11; 14:3.
Also Ex 8:19; Lk 11:20
11:28 One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by
the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over
the whole inhabited world.		 prophecy Agabus encouraging the church  
12:7f Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light
shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and
woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the
chains fell off Peter’s wrists.		 angelic visitation & release from chains Peter encouraging the church  
12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down
because he did not give the glory to God, and he was
eaten by worms and died.		 struck dead by angel angel protecting the church  
13:2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the
Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and
Saul for the work to which I have called them.”		 hearing God's voice prophets & teachers guidance for evangelism  
13:11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and
you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time!”
Immediately mistiness and darkness came over him, and he
went around seeking people to lead him by the hand.		 struck blind Paul evangelism Elymas was hindering the gospel. The proconsul
believed as a result.
14:3 So they stayed there for a considerable time,
speaking out courageously for the Lord, who testified to
the message of his grace, granting miraculous signs and
wonders to be performed through their hands.		 signs & wonders Paul & Barnabas evangelism the miracles were specifically to support the message
14:9-10 This man was listening to Paul as he was speaking.
When Paul stared intently at him and saw he had faith to
be healed, 10 he said with a loud voice, “Stand
upright on your feet.” And the man leaped up and
began walking.		 healing of lame Paul evangelism they were rejected
14:19-20 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after
winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him
out of the city, presuming him to be dead. 20 But after
the disciples had surrounded him, he got up and went back
into the city.		 probable healing (almost dead) disciples encouraging the church  
15:12 The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas
and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs
and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.		 signs & wonders Paul & Barnabas evangelism  
15:32 Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves,
encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.		 prophecy Judas & Silas encouraging the church  
16:6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia,
having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking
the message in the province of Asia.		 hearing God's voice Paul & Silas guidance for evangelism  
16:7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into
Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to
do this		 hearing God's voice Paul & Silas guidance for evangelism  
16:9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A
Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come
over to Macedonia and help us!”		 vision Paul guidance for evangelism  
16:18 But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and said
to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her!” And it came out of her
at once.		 demon cast out Paul evangelism  
16:26 Suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all
the doors flew open, and the bonds of all the prisoners
came loose.		 earthquake (Paul & Silas) evangelism  
18:9 The Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night,
“Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, 		vision of Jesus Paul guidance for evangelism  
18:10 because I am with you, and no one will assault you to
harm you, because I have many people in this city.”		 supernatural protection Paul protection in evangelism  
19:6 and when Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy
Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues
and to prophesy.		 tongues & prophecy Ephesian 12 evangelism  
19:11-12 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s
hands,12 so that when even handkerchiefs or aprons that
had touched his body were brought to the sick, their
diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.		 extraordinary healing Paul evangelism  
19:21 Now after all these things had taken place, Paul
resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem		 hearing God's voice Paul guidance for evangelism  
20:10 But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man,
put his arms around him, and said, “Do not be
distressed, for he is still alive!”		 raising the dead Paul encouraging the church  
20:22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to
Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there,		 hearing God's voice Paul guidance for evangelism  
20:23 except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after
town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for
me.		 prophecy prophets in each town guidance for evangelism  
21:9 He [Philip] had four unmarried daughters who
prophesied.		 prophecy daughters    
21:11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own
hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit
says this: ‘This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem
will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will hand him
over to the Gentiles.’”		 prophecy Agabus direction  
23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and
said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified
about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”		 vision of Jesus Paul encouragement for evangelism  
24:25 While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control,
and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and
said, “Go away for now, and when I have an
opportunity, I will send for you.”		 boldness and power in speaking Paul evangelism  
26:27 “Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I
know that you believe.”		 prophetic revelation Paul evangelism How else could he know the king's heart?
27:10 “Men, I can see the voyage is going to end in
disaster and great loss not only of the cargo and the
ship, but also of our lives.”		 prophecy Paul evangelism centurion eventually respected him (27:43)
27:21 Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you
should have listened to me and not put out to sea from
Crete, thus avoiding this damage and loss. 22 And now I
advise you to keep up your courage, for there will be no
loss of life among you, but only the ship will be lost.		 prophecy Paul evangelism  
27:23-26 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong
and whom I serve came to me 24 and said, ‘Do not be
afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and God has
graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing
with you.’ 25 Therefore keep up your courage, men,
for I have faith in God that it will be just as I have
been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”		 angelic visitation bringing prophetic word Paul evangelism  
27:31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless
these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”		 prophecy Paul evangelism  
27:34 For not one of you will lose a hair from his head prophecy Paul evangelism  
28:5 However, Paul shook the creature [viper] off into the
fire and suffered no harm		 survived snake-bite Paul evangelism  
28:8 The father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from
fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and after
praying, placed his hands on him and healed him.		 healing a fever Paul evangelism  
28:9 After this had happened, many of the people on the
island who were sick also came and were healed.		 healing Paul evangelism  

Points to note

  • With 70 occurrences, signs and wonders are woven into the very fabric of Acts
  • It was God who did the miracles, through the hands of humans (e.g. 14:3; 19:11)
  • The great majority of the miraculous gifts are connected with evangelism
  • In many cases, the signs and wonders bore witness to the words that were being spoken (e.g. 14:3)
  • In most cases the supernatural events greatly assisted the gospel and accelerated its spread. In some cases they were of crucial importance.

Andrew Fountain (Act course) 2006     http://loveintruth.com/acts