Bible Study on Acts 5, verses 12 to 16, and they were healed every one

 

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. 13  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 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. 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.

 

This is a disruption of routine that must have driven the authorities to distraction. Many signs and wonders were performed by the Apostles, who alone of the believers stayed and preached and performed miracles in Solomon’s Porch also mentioned back in chapter 3. Multitudes were added to the followers of Christ. Peter was given miraculous healing powers and the sick and the possessed were brought to him. Many people were healed. It would seem to the authorities that Christ had not been taken away. Instead of embracing that these events are signs from God we will see that the leadership decides on draconian measures.

 

Signs and wonders were very important in the establishment of the people originally set apart for God, the Jews. The nature of the Jew at that time was that they were more impressed by miracles while the Gentile was often persuaded by a sound argument.

 

1Corinthians 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks [Paul’s word for Gentiles as Greek was the dominant culture and language] seek after wisdom:

 

Here is the definition of overshadow in verse 15 as relates to;

 

 Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

It is clearly not like pagan mythologies where a god assumes human form and has sexual relations with a woman. It is about a power doing just what the word implies, overshadowing. There is no physical act of intercourse in Luke 1:35