Acts 5:12-16 New International Version (NIV)
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The believers were meeting in the place where the Sanhedrin had arrested Peter. The apostles’ message was more than just words. Miracles were being performed.
Some people did not want to be seen with the believers. They kept away from them. Those people were afraid. Perhaps they had also heard what had happened to Ananias and Sapphira. But those people respected the believers. However, many other people joined the church.
It is often like that today. Some people do not want to go to church. They do not want to mix with Christians. But they are not the church’s enemies. Sometimes, they are afraid. They do not want their lives to change. Perhaps they do not realize that their lives could be so much better! Other people are bolder. They are not afraid to give their lives to the Lord. When they have done this, they have his joy. And they are quiet inside themselves. Then they see the wonderful things that he can do.
In his Gospel, Luke told how a sick woman touched Jesus’ clothes. Immediately, she got well. Jesus said that her faith had cured her (Luke 8:48). The apostles were continuing Jesus’ work. People believed that God would cure them, even by means of Peter’s shadow. Like the sick woman, they had faith in Jesus’ power.
People from outside Jerusalem heard about the miracles. They brought people who needed help. Some people were ill. Other people had evil spirits in them. They all became well. God showed his power to cure people’s bodies and minds. He also showed his power to free them from evil spirits. Whatever is wrong with us, God can make us well.