Do we think a sign or wonder will communicate the Gospel? Is it leading people to Christ? The answer here is actually shocking. If you read all of Acts 14 as one narrative, as Luke wants you to, then the thesis to the chapter is not, “Paul does miraculous works.” Instead Luke records the thesis in Acts 14:22, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” This is the point of Acts 14, the ministry endured despite opposition.

What role do we expect miracles to have among people? Would we expect a miracle to lead an unbeliever to Christ? Does a miracle solidify faith? Would it lead those in opposition to join our cause? Are miracles a sign of truth saving faith?

These are some questions that need to sit on the foundation in this discussion. First, perhaps, what are we talking about? Does a miracle occur when your spouse finally puts his shoes up? Is it a miracle when your teenager simply says, “Sure, I’d be happy to do that dad?” (That second one probably is a miracle, lol). But for this article, we are talking about the miracles in the Bible: Red Sea splitting in two and the ground being dry while Israel crosses it. Acts 14:8 represents a miracle,

“At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. ⁹ This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, ¹⁰ said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.”

Obviously this is not TLC’s The Foot Doctor who performed surgery and through editing the person walked. This is special. The man, probably older, doesn’t matter though could not walk from the moment he was born. He lived crippled up until this day. Luke informs us the man is a believer before the miracle. He listens to Paul preach (probably a similar sermon found in Acts 13:16) and he believes Christ is who Paul says He is.

This is one of many signs and wonders Paul exhibits as he worked that first missionary journey. “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3). Luke makes sure we understand, signs and wonders are a normal part of Paul’s work here.

But what do we expect these signs and wonders to accomplish? Do we think a sign or wonder will communicate the Gospel? Is it leading people to Christ? The answer here is actually shocking. If you read all of Acts 14 as one narrative, as Luke wants you to, then the thesis to the chapter is not, “Paul does miraculous works.” Instead Luke records the thesis in Acts 14:22, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” This is the point of Acts 14, the ministry endured despite opposition.

The miracles are not the point of each story in Acts 14. If you read the text, in each case, Luke spends more time talking about the opposition and negative responses to Paul’s ministry.

In Iconium (14:1-8) Paul preached, worked signs and wonders and some responded in faith, however the opposition grew to the point where it became life threatening to Paul. “But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren” (14:2). At this point in the narrative, the Jews responded to the preaching. As Paul continues to preach to the disciples and the crowds, God performs signs and wonders through them. What should be the response? If I listen to some, this would be the magic wand leading the entire city to believe. Instead, here is how the opposition responded, “But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. ⁵ And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them” (14:4-5). The believers had already responded to Paul’s preaching. The opposition hates Paul’s preaching. They see the signs and wonders and they still seek to kill Paul because of his teaching. The Old Testament commands false preachers be stoned to death. They view Paul as a false teacher. The text doesn’t say, but they may have even assessed the miracles to Satan and demons. Remember when Jesus was accused, “But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24)?

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