Friday, July 18, 2025

Role of Miracles in Church Growth

In the modern church, there is often debate about the place of miracles. Are they still needed? Do they have a role in evangelism or church growth today? To answer that, we must look back at the early church — specifically, the book of Acts — and ask: What role did miracles play in the growth of the church then?

The book of Acts is more than a history of the first-century believers; it’s a blueprint for mission, a testimony of the Holy Spirit’s power, and a record of how a small group of people turned the world upside down — in part, through miraculous signs and wonders.

Let’s explore the key roles miracles played in the expansion of the early church and what we can learn from them today.


🔹 1. Miracles Validated the Gospel Message

In a time when many claimed religious authority, miracles served as a divine signature, authenticating the message of Jesus Christ.

“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”
– Acts 2:43

Signs and wonders confirmed that the apostles were not preaching human ideas but divine truth. The miracles gave weight to their words, proving that God was at work among them.


🔹 2. Miracles Drew the Crowds

Throughout Acts, we see a pattern: a miracle occurs, a crowd gathers, and a Gospel sermon follows.

A prime example is Acts 3, where Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate. The miracle becomes the spark for a powerful sermon that leads to thousands believing.

“But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
– Acts 4:4

Miracles caught attention — but they were never the end goal. They opened the door for the message of Christ.


🔹 3. Miracles Led to Salvation and Church Growth

Miracles were not merely impressive moments; they often resulted in transformed lives and growing congregations.

“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people... more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”
– Acts 5:12,14

People weren’t just amazed — they repented, believed, and joined the fellowship of believers. Miracles led to faith.


🔹 4. Miracles Demonstrated the Power of the Holy Spirit

Miracles in Acts weren’t limited to healing — they included deliverance, prophecy, divine protection, and boldness in preaching.

In Acts 13, when Paul blinds the sorcerer Elymas, the Roman proconsul sees the power of God and believes in Jesus.

“When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”
– Acts 13:12

Miracles showed that the Gospel was not just words, but power.


🔹 5. Miracles Confirmed the Inclusion of All People

One of the most profound miracles in Acts wasn’t just physical healing — it was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles.

In Acts 10, while Peter is preaching at Cornelius' house, the Spirit falls, and the Gentiles speak in tongues. This miraculous moment confirms their place in God’s family.

“The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.”
– Acts 10:45

Miracles in Acts were not just signs of power — they were signs of inclusion and unity.


🔹 6. Miracles Sparked Regional Revival – Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa

The Gospel didn't stay in Jerusalem. As the apostles traveled, miracles became tools that opened entire regions to Christ.

Lydda and Sharon – Acts 9:32–35

Peter heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas in Lydda. The result?

“All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”
(Acts 9:35)

This wasn’t just an individual healing — it led to a regional awakening. Both towns saw the miracle and were moved to repentance and faith. One miracle led to mass conversions.

Joppa – Acts 9:36–42

In Joppa, a beloved disciple named Tabitha (also called Dorcas) dies. Peter is called, and through prayer, she is raised back to life.

“This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”
(Acts 9:42)

Again, the miracle wasn’t the focus — it was the faith that followed. These stories illustrate how miracles led to revival not just in individuals, but in entire communities.


🔹 7. Miracles Were Not the Focus — But Jesus Christ

It’s important to note: miracles were not the foundation of the church, Jesus was. The church grew through:

  • The preaching of the Word,

  • The power of the Holy Spirit,

  • Fellowship, discipleship, and sacrifice.

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
– Acts 2:47

Miracles served the mission, not replaced it. They drew attention, but the message of Christ crucified and risen brought transformation.


🙏 What Does This Mean for Us Today?

We may not see miracles in the same frequency as Acts, but the God of Acts has not changed. When His people walk in unity, boldness, and obedience, miracles often follow. They are not for show, but for mission. Not to entertain, but to point to Jesus.

Let us seek not just the miraculous, but the Messiah behind the miracle. Let our churches not rely on signs, but also not ignore them. Let miracles — whether physical, emotional, or spiritual — serve their purpose: to glorify Jesus, strengthen faith, and lead many to salvation.


The Church in Acts grew because it was saturated in the Spirit, centered on Christ, and surrendered to God’s purposes. 

 

Friday, July 11, 2025

More Than Stories: The Power and Call of Missionary Legacy

 


For generations, the stories of missionaries have stirred the hearts of believers across the globe. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering obedience to God’s call often serve as powerful reminders of what it looks like to live a life wholly surrendered to the Gospel.

Reading about people like William Carey, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, and countless unnamed heroes of faith inspires us, encourages us, and awakens something deep within us. Their legacy is proof that ordinary people, when gripped by an extraordinary God, can shake nations for His Kingdom.

But there is a danger if we stop there.

We cannot simply admire their lives from a distance. We cannot spend our whole lives telling their stories while never writing our own.


Stories Are Meant to Spark Action

Missionary stories are not bedtime fairy tales. They are battle reports from the frontlines of faith. They are not just for reflection; they are meant to ignite action.

Yes, let’s talk about the great cloud of witnesses who went before us. Let’s honor their memory. But let’s also ask the hard question:

👉 What are we doing with what we’ve heard?

Missionary history should not just fill our journals—it should shape our footsteps. If we are always talking about what others did, but never stepping out to do the same, we are living in spiritual nostalgia instead of active obedience.


A Legacy for the Next Generation

We often talk about how past missionaries were remembered for their boldness and sacrifice. But have we paused to consider:

Will the next generation remember us the same way?

Will they look back and say,
"They lived for the Kingdom."
"They gave sacrificially."
"They didn't just read about the mission—they lived it."

We must live with a commitment and conviction that our lives, too, will be a testimony of God's faithfulness and our obedience. Not for applause, but for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of God.


Moving Forward With Faith

It’s wonderful to talk about missions. It’s needed. But talk is not the finish line—obedience is.

Maybe God is calling you to go.
Maybe He’s calling you to send, support, or mobilize.
Maybe He’s nudging you to pray consistently or give sacrificially.

Whatever your role, don’t stay stuck at admiration. Let the legacy of missionaries past move you forward in faith. Don’t just honor their steps—walk in them.

Let us be a generation not only moved by the stories of others but also committed to becoming stories worth telling.

“Here am I. Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8

Role of Miracles in Church Growth

In the modern church, there is often debate about the place of miracles. Are they still needed? Do they have a role in evangelism or church ...