Miracles By The Apostles
By Senior Pastor Bill Rains | March 16, 2025
In Acts 5:12-16, we read: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people… Believers were the more added to the Lord… they brought forth the sick… and they were healed every one.” On March 16, 2025, Senior Pastor Bill Rains preached “Miracles By The Apostles,” the fourth in a series on Acts’ miracles. Following Ananias and Sapphira’s judgment, three truths emerge: unity fuels miracles, some stand apart, and sinners find transformation.
The Unity of the Church
Pastor Rains highlights the parenthetical gem: “They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch” (v. 12). Amid signs and wonders, this unity—at Solomon’s covered walkway—spurred miracles. United prayer for the unsaved, unchurched, and sick (Matthew 18:19-20), united praise to magnify God (Psalm 34:3), and united evangelism (Acts 1:8) drove soul-winning and healing. Pastor Rains, praying daily for gospel opportunities, urges believers to align in purpose. Unity isn’t optional—it’s vital for God’s miraculous work today.
The Unnamed Someone
Verse 13 notes: “The rest durst no man join himself to them.” These unnamed—called “the rest” and “them”—stood apart despite miracles. Some, perhaps kin of Ananias and Sapphira, blamed Peter for God’s judgment, rejecting unity. Others, perennial fault-finders, never join, no matter the church’s love. Pastor Rains reflects on decades of leadership rejection, yet calls believers to be “the them”—united in prayer, praise, and soul-winning—lifting pastors in service, not criticism.
The Unfortunate Sinners
The result? “Believers were the more added… multitudes… they were healed every one” (vv. 14-16). Crowds brought the sick and demon-vexed, healed by Peter’s shadow—a unique era. Yet, Pastor Rains sees modern parallels: souls saved, lives changed. He grieves for rejecters, yet celebrates Somaya’s bold faith post-baptism. Jesus transforms “unfortunate sinners” into fortunate ones, offering eternal life and purpose. Pastor Rains pleads: embrace Him who embraced you—miracles still flow from yes to Christ.
