Jim Humphrey Consulting


Vol 5, No 39 Vol 5, No 41

Introduction to the Corinthian Epistles, Part 2: Review of the Miraculous Sign Gifts Recorded in Acts:

Volume 5, Number 40
Created Date: April 9, 2022
Posted Date: April 9, 2022

Our last study reviewed the elements of the Gospel of the Kingdom taught by Peter and the 12 for the Nation of Israel compared to the Gospel of the Grace of God revealed to the Apostle Paul for both individual Jews and Gentiles and it argued that Paul taught the Gospel of the Grace throughout his ministry. Noting 1st Corinthians is Paul’s only epistle that mentions the sign gifts I re-examined the book of Acts to identify every occasion where signs, wonders and miracles are mentioned to put the teaching of Corinthians in perspective. As near as I can tell, following is a description of all signs, wonders and miracles in Acts:

• All the Jews who believed the Kingdom message (that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah) who were gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, were filled with the Holy Spirit and received the gift of tongues, Acts 2:1 - 61 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

; they were of one heart and soul and they all shared everything in common, Acts 4:31 - 3331 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

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• Peter in particular and the rest of the 12 Apostles in general performed wonders and signs by the power from God in accordance with the Kingdom message:

◦ many wonders and signs were done by the 12 Apostles, Acts 2:4343 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

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◦ Peter healed a man who had been lame from birth, Acts 3:2 - 82 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

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◦ by the hands of the 12 Apostles many signs and wonders were wrought among the Jews, Acts 5:1212 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

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◦ the sick were laid on beds and couches in the street and were healed when Peter’s shadow passed over them; multitudes of sick and demon possessed from cities around Jerusalem were brought to Jerusalem and all were healed, Acts 5:15 - 1615 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

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◦ an angel of the Lord freed the 12 Apostles from prison, Acts 5:17 - 2017 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

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◦ in the town of Lydda (in Israel) Peter healed Aeneas who had been confined to bed with palsy for 8 years, Acts 9:32 - 3432 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

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◦ Peter was used to raise Tabitha, aka Dorcas from the dead in Joppa, a seaside city in Israel, Acts 9:36 - 4236 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

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◦ an angel freed Peter from prison, Acts 12:5 - 125 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

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• The Gentile Roman Centurion Cornelius and his household in Caesarea (Israel) spoke in tongues when they believed Peter’s Gospel, Acts 10:44 - 4744 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

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Note: God’s plan for the Nation of Israel was for them to be a Kingdom of Priests, a Holy Nation, Exodus 19:66 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

, and thus minister to Gentiles throughout the world for salvation, Isaiah 42:66 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

; Isaiah 49:66 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

; Isaiah 60:33 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

. However, Israel failed because of self-righteousness; they could not even attain to God’s plan for themselves, much less reach out to Gentile Nations. However, Israel assuredly will fulfill God’s plan some day in the future, but only when God Himself intervenes by filling them with His Holy Spirit, Ezekiel 37:1 - 141 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

. Only then will Israel be a Nation of Priests, Zechariah 8:20 - 2320 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:

21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

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Thus, we can see a three-fold purpose in the Lord sending Peter to the Gentile Cornelius; one, God chose Cornelius and his household to be saved; two, it gave Peter insight into God’s desire to save Gentiles so Peter would later bless the Apostle Paul’s mission to bring his Gospel of Grace to the Gentiles; three, it was a pattern or foretaste of that time in the future when the nation of Israel will fulfill God’s Word for them to be a Nation of Priests, ministering to the Gentiles in the future Kingdom reign of Christ.

• Stephen, one of 7 men chosen by the 12 apostles to distribute goods from the common treasury to the Kingdom saints in Jerusalem did great wonders and miracles, Acts 6:88 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

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• Philip, another of the 7 with Stephen did great wonders and miracles, including casting out unclean spirits, healing those with palsies and the lame in Samaria, Acts 8:5 - 75 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

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Note: after an angel freed Peter from prison, Acts 12:5 - 12, there is no mention in Acts of a miracle or sign by either Peter or those associated with him. He is subsequently mentioned only once, that being when he testified to the Jewish Council in Jerusalem about how God sent him to testify to the Gentile Cornelius and his household who believed and received the Holy Spirit, just like Jews who believed; indicating no difference between believing Jews and Gentiles, Acts 15:6 - 116 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

. After Peter’s speech, Paul and Barnabas told of the miracles and wonders God performed among the Gentiles by them; but instead of Peter, it was James who gave approval to Paul and Barnabas’ mission to the Gentiles, Acts 15:12 - 2112 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

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• Saul/Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, cast temporary blindness on a Jew named Barjesus, aka Elymas when he attempted to turn the Gentile Roman ruler Sergius Paulus from the Gospel taught by Paul, Acts 13:6 - 126 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

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Note: this first miracle and sign performed by the Apostle Paul is significant. It is a turning point from Peter’s Kingdom message to Israel, to Paul’s message to the Gentiles. The purpose is twofold; first, the Gentile Roman ruler Sergious Paulus believed the Gospel of God’s Grace and was saved. The Lord had commissioned Paul to take his Name before Gentiles, Kings and the Children of Israel. The Greek word translated “kings” in Acts 9:1515 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

means “leader of the people, prince, commander” and Sergious Paulus meets that definition. Second, the temporary blinding of the Jew Barjesus Elymas signified the temporary blinding of Israel and the beginning of the age of the Gospel of God’s Grace extended to the Gentiles (as well as individual Jews.) The Nation of Israel’s temporary blindness has lasted almost 2000 years now, Romans 11:1 - 81 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

, but God will someday take away that blindness, Romans 11:25 - 3225 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

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• Paul alone or Paul, Barnabas or Silas performed miracles, signs and wonders:

◦ at Iconium in Galatia, Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel in the Synagogue resulting in both Jews and Gentiles believing. Even after the unbelieving Jews stirred up dissention, Paul and Barnabas continued preaching the Gospel and performed signs and wonders, Acts 14:1 - 31 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

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◦ Paul healed a lame man from birth at Lystra in Galatia, Acts 14:8 - 108 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

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◦ Still in Lystra, Galatia, Paul was miraculously revived after being stoned and thought to be dead, Acts 14:19 - 2019 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

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◦ Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem where they told Peter, James and the Kingdom saints about the miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them, Acts 15:7 - 127 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

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◦ In Philippi, Paul cast out an unclean spirit of divination from a young woman, Acts 16:16 - 1816 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

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◦ Still in Philippi, Paul and Silas were miraculously sprung from prison by an earthquake, Acts 16:25 - 3025 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

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◦ Paul encountered 12 men in Ephesus who previously had believed and were baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist. However, they had not heard the Holy Spirit had been sent. Paul did not baptize them again but laid his hands on them, imparting the Holy Spirit on them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied, i.e., they spoke so those of another language understand them while proclaiming the Word of God revealed to them by the Holy Spirit, Acts 19:1 - 71 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men were about twelve.

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Note: John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ who would subsequently baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, Matthew 3:1 - 121 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

. Therefore, since these 12 Jewish men had been baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist, they knew about the promise of the Holy Spirit but obviously had not heard He had come on the Day of Pentecost. This demonstrates Paul’s apostleship; God used him to fulfill John’s Gospel to these believing Jews. I believe at this time Paul preached the Gospel of Grace to them, but the Holy Spirit came upon them because of John the Baptist’s prophesy. It’s also noteworthy that this event occurred in Acts right after mention of Apollos who also only knew the baptism of John the Baptist. However, in Apollos case, Aquilla, and Pricilla brought him up to date with Paul’s Gospel, Acts 18:24 - 2624 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

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◦ Paul taught both Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus for 2 years during which God wrought special miracles by his hands; so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and they were healed and evil spirits departed, Acts 19:9 - 129 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

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◦ Later in Ephesus, after returning from his trip to Greece, Paul took up alive the young man Eutychus who was killed when he fell asleep and fell from the 3rd floor while listening to Paul, who preached until midnight, Acts 20:7 - 107 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

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◦ In Malta, after being shipwrecked, Paul was not hurt what-so-ever after being bitten by a poisonous snake and then he proceeded to heal many on that island from various diseases, Acts 28:3 - 93 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

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Observations:

• Every miracle documented in Acts were performed by Jews with one exception; the Centurion Cornelius and his household, who spoke with tongues.

• All miracles and wonders by Peter and the 12 documented in Acts were confined to the Land of Israel and Samaria.

• Paul performed more miracles than Peter and all of Paul’s were performed outside of the Land of Israel. Paul was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and was not a bit behind any of the Lord’s Apostles; thus, he performed the miracles of an Apostle, signs, and wonders with power, 2 Corinthians 11:55 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

; 2 Corinthians 12:11 - 1211 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

. See also Vol 5, No 28.

• The Acts account does not mention any signs, wonders or miracles in Corinth.

President Kevin Sadler of the Berean Bible Society presented a four-part series on the sign gifts at his Bible Conference at West Valley Grace Fellowship in Sun City West, Arizona February 4 - 6, 2022. Each session is from 40 to 50 minutes in length and are posted on YouTube. Clicking on the following links should bring them up but if not, you can copy and paste them on your browser:

The first session is broken into two parts because of a technical problem:

First session: part 1 and part 2

Second session

Third session

Fourth session


Jim Humphrey
Vol 5, No 39 Vol 5, No 41