Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:22-23)
What is the purpose of miracles?
God has a purpose, or maybe several purposes in miracles, wonders ans signs. He accredits His servants that He chooses to work through, giving them authority so that He can speak through them. He does this so that others may know that His servant is speaking and acting under His authority and not just by his own authority.
Drawing a Crowd
God confirmed Peter as His apostle as well as the 120 who were with him on the day of Pentecost. With signs and wonders, He gave them a platform to speak with the authority of the Holy Spirit. Imagine how much publicity would be needed for your outreach campaign to gather such a crowd! When the crowd was assembled, the Spirit took Peter’s words and pierced the listeners to the heart bringing about 3000 souls to repentance and salvation.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
As they were added to the Church and baptized, there was no spectacular manifestation concerning the promise “you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It was clear later that many had received the power to advance God’s kingdom and signs and wonders continued. However, the reception of God’s power through the giving of the Spirit is not necessarily done with a lot of fanfare. External signs, it seems, are given to accredit God’s servants so that when the Word is spoken, many will be convinced of the Truth and respond to it.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
