Peter's Miracles
The first half of
the book of Acts tells many experiences of Peter that portray the incredible
faith he had to work miracles in the name of the Lord. On the Day of Pentecost, shorty after the
ascension of Christ, he declared with boldness the gospel to those gathered
from many nations hearing word miraculously in their own language. As part of that speech he quoted the prophecy
of Joel: “And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those
days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven
above, and signs in the earth beneath” (Acts 2:18-19). Surely as Peter went forth leading the Church
in those early years, working miracles of healing, escaping miraculously from
prison, and preaching in the power of the Spirit, he was very much a part of
the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Luke recorded the miracles of healing that Peter performed as he ministered and served. When Peter and John met the man lame from his mother’s womb, Peter declared, “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” (Acts 3:6). The man leaped to his feet and was miraculously healed. This was just one healing out of many, for Luke also recorded, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…. 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. 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” (Acts 5:12-16). Just as the Savior had done, Peter was able to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick, and his fame became so widespread that people sought to come within the reach of even his shadow. In another account, we read how Peter “found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.” The chief apostle declared, “Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed,” and the man was healed immediately (Acts 9:33-34). This experience was followed up by an even more miraculous healing as Peter visited a disciple named Tabitha who had died. We read, “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” (Acts 9:40). There was no doubt that Peter had the power to heal just as the Savior had.
Luke recorded the miracles of healing that Peter performed as he ministered and served. When Peter and John met the man lame from his mother’s womb, Peter declared, “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” (Acts 3:6). The man leaped to his feet and was miraculously healed. This was just one healing out of many, for Luke also recorded, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…. 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. 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” (Acts 5:12-16). Just as the Savior had done, Peter was able to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick, and his fame became so widespread that people sought to come within the reach of even his shadow. In another account, we read how Peter “found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.” The chief apostle declared, “Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed,” and the man was healed immediately (Acts 9:33-34). This experience was followed up by an even more miraculous healing as Peter visited a disciple named Tabitha who had died. We read, “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” (Acts 9:40). There was no doubt that Peter had the power to heal just as the Savior had.
Peter also experienced miracles
of escaping from his enemies. Peter and
John were arrested and taken before the Jewish rulers and were commanded to
“not speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” They were threatened, but surprisingly the
rulers let them go “because of the people” and the apostles went right back to
preaching (Acts 4:18-21). After more
healings by Peter, the rulers got angry and again “laid hands on the apostles,
and put them in the common prison.” But
then “the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them
forth” (Acts 5:18-19). When the rulers
found out that Peter and John were miraculously back out preaching, they
brought them in again questioned them, beat them, but “let them go” once more
(Acts 5:40). Miraculously Peter had
escaped his enemies again, similar to how the Savior escaped those who sought
His life until His time had come.
Perhaps the most incredible escape from his enemies came years later
when Herod killed James and then put Peter in prison. Herod must have known the stories of Peter’s
miraculous escapes, for he had the apostle sleep “between two soldiers, bound
with two chains.” But once more Peter
could not be kept in prison, for “the angel of the Lord came upon him,” his
chains fell off, the prison doors miraculously opened, and Peter walked out uninjured
once again (Acts 12:7). His enemies
simply could not take him before it was his time to go. These and other experiences recorded in the
book of Acts evidence that indeed the Spirit of the Lord was upon the chief
apostle as he led with power the Saints of the early Church.
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