What Old Testament events parallel the "signs and wonders" in Acts 5:12?

Acts 5:12 " The New Testament Benchmark

“ The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord all the believers met together in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

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Where We Hear the Phrase First

• Exodus 7:3 – “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.”

• Deuteronomy 34:11 – “Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, did all those signs and wonders…”

The language Luke uses in Acts echoes the very wording God chose for Moses. Let’s trace the parallels.

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Miracles of National Deliverance

• Ten Plagues on Egypt – Exodus 7–12

• Red Sea parted – Exodus 14:21-22

• Jordan River parted for Joshua – Joshua 3:14-17

• Walls of Jericho collapse – Joshua 6:20

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Miracles of Provision & Guidance

• Manna from heaven – Exodus 16:4-15

• Water from the rock – Exodus 17:5-6; Numbers 20:8-11

• Pillar of cloud and fire – Exodus 13:21-22

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Miracles of Healing & Resurrection

• Serpent-lifted healing in the wilderness – Numbers 21:8-9

• Elijah raises the widow’s son – 1 Kings 17:22

• Elisha raises the Shunammite’s child – 2 Kings 4:32-35

• Naaman’s leprosy cleansed – 2 Kings 5:14

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Miracles Demonstrating Prophetic Authority

• Fire from heaven at Carmel – 1 Kings 18:38

• River Jordan parted by Elijah & Elisha’s cloak – 2 Kings 2:8-14

• Floating axe head – 2 Kings 6:6

• Shadow on the stairs moves backward – Isaiah 38:7-8

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Miracles of Protection in Hostile Territory

• Three Hebrews in the fiery furnace – Daniel 3:24-27

• Daniel in the lions’ den – Daniel 6:22

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Miracles of Swift Judgment

• Fire consumes Korah’s rebels – Numbers 16:31-35

• Plague halted at Phinehas’ spear – Numbers 25:7-9

• Uzziah struck with leprosy – 2 Chronicles 26:19

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Tying It All Together

• Every Old Testament “sign and wonder” validates God’s chosen servants and reveals His power to save, provide, judge, and restore.

• Acts 5 shows the same God continuing the same pattern—now through the risen Christ’s apostles—so Israel and the nations know the gospel is heaven-sent.

• The continuity assures believers that the Scriptures speak with one voice: the Lord who parted seas and raised the dead is still at work, and His word stands literally true from Genesis to Revelation.