Connect Acts 15:12 with other instances of miracles affirming faith in the Bible. \Acts 15:12—Miracles That Silence Debate and Confirm Truth\ “The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” (Acts 15:12) • In a heated council, testimony of miracles turned controversy into attentive silence. • God’s power authenticated the gospel message brought to the Gentiles. \A Consistent Scriptural Pattern: Sign, Wonder, Belief\ • God often pairs His spoken word with visible acts to move hearts from doubt to faith. • Miracles serve as divine credentials, proving that the messenger and message are truly His. \Old Testament Foundations\ • Exodus 4:8-9 — Signs with Moses (“water…will become blood on the dry ground”) so Israel would believe. • 1 Kings 18:38-39 — Fire on Elijah’s altar; the people cry, “The LORD, He is God!” • Daniel 6:27 — Darius proclaims God “works signs and wonders…He has delivered Daniel,” leading a pagan king to honor Him. \Miracles in the Ministry of Jesus\ • John 2:11 — Water to wine: “He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” • John 11:42-45 — Lazarus raised; many Jews believe. • John 20:30-31 — “Signs…written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.” \Miracles in the Early Church\ • Acts 3:6-9; 4:4 — Lame man walks; thousands believe. • Acts 9:34-35 — Aeneas healed; “all…turned to the Lord.” • Acts 9:40-42 — Tabitha raised; “many believed in the Lord.” • Acts 13:11-12 — Elymas struck blind; the proconsul believes. • Hebrews 2:3-4 — God testifies to the gospel “by signs and wonders…distributions of the Holy Spirit.” \The Golden Thread\ • From Moses to Paul, miracles: ‑ Interrupt the natural order with divine power. ‑ Validate God’s spokespersons. ‑ Propel observers toward wholehearted faith. \Living Takeaway\ The same God who confirmed His word through signs in Acts 15:12—and throughout Scripture—continues to reveal Himself as trustworthy, inviting every generation to confident, Scripture-anchored faith. |
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