The Acts of the Apostles covers one of the most dramatic stages in God's plan for the people of Israel. They had rejected their Messiah with cries of "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!", but He had prayed "Father, forgive then, for they do not know what they are doing."
That prayer was answered because it was through ignorance that both the common people and their leaders turned there backs upon Jesus and, under the Mosaic Law, a person who sinned through ignorance, or unintentionally, could be forgiven.
That being the case, the burning issue for the apostles was to ask the Lord, "Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" but they were not given a direct answer. They were told that "It is not for you to know the times or date the Father has set by his own authority."
Whether or not that kingdom would be restored to Israel at that time depended upon the response of that nation itself. It could be restored only when the King returned and set up his kingdom. Would He return soon? Would He come back within the lifetime of the apostles? That was the issue and, that, according to Peter, depended upon Israel repenting.
In order to encourage Israel to repent, and to ensure that they were without excuse if they failed to do so, the apostles were given the power to perform various wonders and signs. These were The Miracles of the Apostles and included speaking and interpreting tongues, knowledge and wisdom, healing and judgement, visions and voices, visitation and revelations, wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth beneath.
All these and more, are considered in this book. which explains the significance and meaning of these miracles. “Miracles” were also “signs”, a fact missed by the Gentiles of New Testament times, and missed by many Christians today. This book explains the significance of each and every type of miracle performed by the Apostles and explains why we do not see such miracles today.
The chapter headings are as follows:
- Signs, wonders and miracles
- Israel in Acts
- Miracles in the Old Testament
- Miracles in the New Testament
- Casting of Lots
- Tongues of Fire
- Baptised by the Holy Spirit
- Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Speaking in other tongues
- Healing
- Knowledge and wisdom
- Wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth beneath
- Judgment: many are weak and sick
- Visions and voices
- Visitations and revelations
- Prophecy
- Casting out demons
- Various other signs and wonders
- Conclusion
- The sign of a Christian
