Question 1

What are the “signs and wonders” done by the apostles in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The “signs and wonders” are the many miracles God did through the apostles in public. These included healing sick people and freeing those troubled by unclean spirits. People were so sure God was working through the apostles that they brought their sick into the streets, hoping even Peter’s shadow might touch them. Crowds also came from towns around Jerusalem with their sick and oppressed, and they were all healed. These miracles showed that the message the apostles preached about Jesus was from God and full of mercy.

Question 2

Why were the apostles gathered in Solomon’s porch?

Accepted Answer

Solomon’s porch was a large open area in the temple where people could gather. The apostles met there with one heart to teach, pray, and be seen openly. It was a known public place, so many could hear the message about Jesus. Their unity there showed that they agreed in what they taught and how they lived. It also showed courage, because the same leaders who had opposed them still controlled the temple, yet God allowed the apostles to keep meeting there for a time.

Question 3

What does it mean that “of the rest durst no man join himself to them”?

Accepted Answer

This line shows that people were afraid to attach themselves to the apostles in a casual or proud way. After seeing God judge hypocrisy in the church, many were scared to come near in a false way or to put themselves on the same level as the apostles. Some understood that there was real holiness and God’s power among them, so they kept a respectful distance. It was a kind of holy fear: they could see God was present and did not want to play games with him.

Question 4

How could people be afraid to join yet many believers be added to the Lord?

Accepted Answer

At first this can sound like a contradiction, but it shows two different responses. Some people, held back by fear and a guilty heart, would not truly draw near. Others, moved by the same fear of God and by the kindness shown in the healings, came in truth and trusted in Jesus. So, while many were scared to join lightly, real believers were actually “added to the Lord” in great numbers, both men and women. God used both judgment and mercy to grow a sincere church.

Question 5

Why did people hope Peter’s shadow might heal the sick?

Accepted Answer

People had seen and heard how God was using the apostles to heal, so they were ready to seek help in any way connected with them. They laid the sick on beds and couches in the streets, hoping that as Peter walked by, even his shadow might fall on some of them. The passage shows their strong expectation that God was at work. The power was not in the shadow itself, but in God, who was choosing to honor the ministry of the apostles for a time to point people to Jesus.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is both holy and kind. Just before this, he had judged two people for lying, which stirred fear. Yet here he pours out mercy: many signs and wonders, many healings, and freedom for those troubled by unclean spirits. He does not hide these works; they are done among the people, in the open. At the same time, he makes it clear that joining his people is serious. God welcomes real faith, but he will not treat hypocrisy as a small thing.

Question 7

Who are the “believers added to the Lord” and what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

The “believers added to the Lord” are men and women who heard the message about Jesus, trusted in him, and were joined to him and his people. Being “added to the Lord” means more than just joining a group; it means being joined to Christ himself, recognizing him as Lord, and then becoming part of his church. The passage shows that many were not scared away by God’s holiness. Instead, they saw that God was truly among the apostles and gladly gave themselves to the Lord.

Question 8

What does this passage say about unclean spirits and their defeat?

Accepted Answer

The passage speaks of people “vexed with unclean spirits.” These were not just physically sick, but tormented in mind and body by evil powers. When they were brought to the apostles, they were healed along with the physically sick. This shows that Jesus’ power, now working through his apostles, reaches both body and soul. Evil spirits could not stand against the name and power of Christ. The healings were a sign that God’s promised restoring work had truly begun.

Question 9

How might this passage guide how we think about church today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows a church that is both loving and serious. The believers meet together with one mind, they are open in public worship, and God’s care for the weak and suffering is clear. At the same time, there is holy fear, so people do not join lightly or play with sin. Today, this can remind us that church life should not be casual in a careless way. There should be real unity, real care for those who are hurting, and deep respect for God’s presence among his people.

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.

The Apostles Heal Many

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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.

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The Apostles Heal Many

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