Signs and Wonders

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."
Acts 14:3

It is well documented that the early church, written about in the book of Acts, was used to perform many miraculous signs and wonders. People were raised from the dead, many who were sick, were healed, the blind saw again, the lame were raised up, and the deaf heard. The apostles were delivered miraculously from prisons. Paul survived shipwrecks as well as the bites of serpents. All these things were accomplished, not by the apostles and leaders of the church, but by the Holy Spirit who had empowered them.
    Imagine what would have happened if the early church did not have these signs and wonders following them. They had no New Testament, they had no news media. The resurrection of Jesus was a story told by many, but believed by few. Imagine if the Holy Spirit had not come in power on the day of Pentecost. Although some may have been bold enough to tell the story, without signs confirming the message, the movement would have fallen, as so many had before. The church of Jesus Christ was built on the power of the Holy Spirit and the miracles that were accomplished through all those who believed.
    I wonder how we feel about this today. Many churches, many Christians, live powerless lives without the confirming signs that should follow us. We have become dependent on other things, other powers. Yes, we must be believers in the gospel of Christ, we must believe his Word and know it well. But if we stop there, what have we accomplished? We must also believe in the confirming work of signs and wonders. We must believe in the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. And more than this, we must experience these things. Although the pattern of the early church's activities were specific to their time and place, the realities of the power of the Holy Spirit they experienced has not changed. We are to experience it in the same way they did.
    "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17&18). Jesus spoke these words, not me. I believe that God expects signs and wonders to follow us as believers and disciples.
    Consider the possibilities today. Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit? Is he dwelling within you? Are you experiencing the miracle working strength of God? All of us need to grow in these areas. All of us need to experience it. We are in the latter days of the church. The same power the early church exhibited must be manifested through us. There is a world to change, billions of people who do not yet know the Savior. "Empower us, God, to go, to proclaim your word, and to do marvelous things through the power of your Holy Spirit!"