Acts 2:43 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

NIV: Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

NASB: Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

CSB: Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.

NLT: A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

KJV: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

NKJV: Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Throughout the Bible, God has granted His messengers the ability to perform miracles in order to validate that their message is from Him. The point of ministry is never the miracle itself, but the message (Mark 1:36–38).

The disciples have performed miracles before, and they know what comes after. Early on, Jesus sent them out to heal, cast out demons, and exhort people to repent of their sins (Mark 6:7–13). They had seen what happened to Jesus when He performed miracles: He was mobbed (Mark 4:1). They got a taste of this, too—when Jesus took them on a boat to find some time away and the people saw them leave and raced so hard a crowd had formed before they landed (Mark 6:30–34).

This time, they are prepared. They have received the Holy Spirit who gives them power (Acts 1:8) but also wisdom (John 14:26). And that same Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of the people the apostles meet (John 16:8–11).

"Wonder" is from the Greek root word teras. It is a miracle that reveals a hidden truth, like how the transfiguration revealed Jesus' glory and deity (Mark 9:2–13). "Signs" is from the Greek root word semeion. The sign is that the person who performs the miracles is special and chosen by God. A good example is when Paul suffers no ill effect after being bitten by a viper. At first, the local people think he is being cursed by the gods for a terrible offense. When he lives, they still assume he has a divine connection, but still misinterpret it, at first (Acts 28:1–6).

Acts 2:42–47 describes the routine of the early church. One morning, about nine days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit indwelt 120 of His followers (Acts 2:1–4). By that evening, three thousand devout Jews and proselytes had joined them (Acts 2:41). Most of the newcomers had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost from other countries. Many decide to stay in Jerusalem, to learn more about Jesus and be part of the phenomenon we now call ''the church.''

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.