As we might expect, the Book of Acts shows very well in many places how the apostles were about the work of continuing Jesus’ ministry. Peter and John showed us that when they healed the lame man at Simon’s Portico in Acts 3. Once again we find the apostles at Simon’s Portico in verses 12 of chapter 5. Verses 12-13:

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

Jesus Heals the Blind and Lame on the Mountain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some commentators take the position that this means that none of the non-Christian community would join them at Solomon’s Portico for fear of the Sadducees and particularly the Sanhedrin. But that surely cannot be the case because the point of the apostles going to Solomon’s Portico was to teach others the good news of Jesus Christ. The words “the rest” must refer to the other members of the core group of disciples, and they would not be needed to join the apostles in this effort, as they were fully capable of delivering the message.

The text also says that “more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” We have already seen the rapid growth of the church by the thousands (Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4). But now more than ever? The growth of the Lord’s church was literally exploding during this time! Before too many more chapters, the Christians would be “scattered” about the land because of persecution. The Lord was making sure there would be enough to scatter far and wide.

In verse 16, Luke tells us that people were bringing the lame, sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits from towns outside of Jerusalem, laying them out in the streets on cots and mats so that when Peter (and the other apostles) came by “at least his shadow might fall on some of them.” This sort of faith reminds me of the woman who just wanted to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment in Luke 8:43-48.

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from Acts here
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from 2 Chronicles here

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Please check out my Books and my Facebook Author’s Page. You will find the links at this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books“.