12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14-15 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns round Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17-18 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19-21 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Acts 5:12-21 English Standard Version

The events described in the book of Acts, like the miracles of Jesus in the gospels, were truly amazing. But what did Luke (the writer of Acts) say in vs 12 which should remind us that these events weren't only amazing - they were also unique?

He wrote that the miracles were being done 'by the hands of the apostles'. At the end of Mark's gospel we read how Jesus sent His eleven disciples into all the world with the message of salvation, and that “they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:20) And in Acts 4 we’re told that, after being threatened by the leaders in Jerusalem, the apostles Peter and John prayed that God would “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness - while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:30)

The same thing happened later on when Jesus called a man named Saul to be an apostle. His name was changed to Paul, and when he and a man named Barnabas set off to preach the gospel , we read that “they spoke boldly for the Lord who bore witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3) In fact, in Paul’s case, we read later that “God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.” (Acts 19:1-12)

The reason I stress this is because over the years some well meaning people have suggested and taught that all who follow Jesus and spread the gospel should see such miracles all the time. But, writing to some Christians who were questioning his authority, Paul said to them: “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.” (2 Corinthians 12:12) The amazing miracles in the early years of the Church were done by apostles, or by those upon whom the apostles had laid hands.

But wouldn't more people be saved if God still used such miracles today? Well, what do we read in vs 13, and then in vs 17-18?

Despite the miracles they'd seen, there were people who kept a distance from the disciples, and others who even wanted to harm them. And vs 14 says that it was those who believed who were added to the Lord. And by God's grace, there were many. But what did they believe? They believed the message that the apostles preached. A message of how God had raised Jesus from the grave and received Him into heaven, and that all who repented and were baptised in His name would receive forgiveness of their sins.

It's not miracles that ultimately save people, but the message of God's grace. Jesus did many miracles, yet many didn't believe His message. Miracles authenticated the message that the apostles preached - but it was Jesus who brought about amazing miracles through their hands. Believe on Him, and be saved.