Signs and Wonders
A Sermon on Acts 5:11-14
Originally preached Feb. 6, 1966
Scripture
11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13And of the rest …
Sermon Description
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches about the miraculous nature and origin of the church. He argues that the existence of the church is proof of the existence of God as the church was established by God through unlearned and ignorant men. These men were instruments chosen by God for the establishment of the church. Many have tried to deny the supernatural events of the Bible. They do so, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, because they start with the presupposition that miracles can’t happen, therefore the Bible must not be true. One who starts with the idea that miracles cannot happen is sure to deny the Bible, but one who believes in the Lord Jesus understands that He is Lord of all, and that He can perform miracles with His wondrous power. The listener is also warned against the popular tendency to suppose it would have been easier to believe in Jesus if they had been there to see the miracles. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this is not true, and the miraculous nature of one’s salvation should be proof of His existence.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage being discussed is Acts 5:11-14. These verses describe the aftermath of Ananias and Sapphira's deaths.
- Luke, the author of Acts, is recording historical facts. His goal is not to frighten readers but to report what happened.
- Fear is a natural reaction to hearing about Ananias and Sapphira's deaths. However, fear alone accomplishes nothing. It must lead to belief.
- The early church grew because people heard the apostles' message, believed in Jesus, and were added to the Lord. Signs and wonders drew people's attention so they would listen to the gospel.
- The "rest" in verse 13 refers to curious but insincere followers who left after witnessing Ananias and Sapphira's deaths. True believers remained because they understood God's power and grace.
- Only God can add people to the church by opening their minds, convicting them of sin, and giving them new life through faith in Jesus.
- The apostles' miracles and the events of Acts 5 were meant to make people think about God, themselves, life, death, and eternity. They point to the message of salvation in Jesus.
- Fear of God's power and judgment leads to reverence, godly fear, and belief in the gospel. It is not a paralyzing terror but a motivation to flee to Christ the Savior.
- Complacency and bravado often come from ignorance. Wisdom recognizes human frailty and dependence on God.
- The events of Acts 5 sifted true believers from false believers. True Christians understood and embraced the gospel message.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Fear of God in Acts 5?
What is the significance of the Ananias and Sapphira story in Acts 5?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 demonstrates God's supernatural power and authority in the early church. This event shows that God was authenticating the message of the apostles through dramatic signs and wonders. The immediate deaths of these two people who attempted to lie to the Holy Spirit created "great fear" among both believers and unbelievers. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this incident was not just a random event but was part of God's plan to establish certain principles for the church from its beginning, showing that it was not merely a human institution but one under divine authority.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe miracles were more common in the early church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the variation in miraculous manifestations throughout church history is itself evidence of God's sovereignty. He argues that miraculous signs were more prevalent at the beginning of the church to authenticate the apostles' message and to draw attention to the gospel. He states: "Here was the beginning of the church, ignorant and unlearned men, and he gives them the power so that they are able to say with the apostle Paul, 'we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the glory may be of God and not of us.'" Lloyd-Jones compares this pattern to how in the Old Testament, prophets like Elijah and Elisha performed more miracles than later prophets, as they were establishing God's authority at the beginning.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones respond to critics who say fear shouldn't be part of Christian evangelism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses critics who say using fear in evangelism is inappropriate by making several distinctions. He states: "The object of reporting these things and of preaching these things is not to produce fear. That's not the primary object at all. Fear is always the result of something else." He argues that the purpose is not to frighten people into the kingdom but to communicate truth that naturally produces appropriate reverence. He compares it to warning signs of danger, medical warnings about serious conditions, or safety alerts—not manipulative fear-mongering but responsible truth-telling. Lloyd-Jones distinguishes between "the fear that hath torment" and "reverence and godly fear," saying the latter is essential to authentic Christian experience.
What does it mean that believers were "added to the Lord" according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the phrase "believers were added to the Lord" in Acts 5:14 shows that true conversion is not a human decision or merely joining a church, but a divine work. He states: "There is only one who can add to the church. It is the Lord himself. And he adds men and women to himself. Nobody else can do that." This points to the supernatural nature of conversion, where the Holy Spirit enlightens the mind, convicts of sin, and changes the heart. Lloyd-Jones uses this to argue against manipulative evangelistic techniques, saying: "I don't want an immediate decision because I know that even I can produce decisions... I'm simply here to put the truth before you. And it is the Spirit of the living God alone who can apply that truth."
What is the proper response to hearing about supernatural events like those in Acts 5?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the proper response to hearing about supernatural events like those in Acts 5 involves three elements. First, a sense of godly fear or reverence that makes us recognize God's holiness and power. Second, belief in the message that these events authenticate—namely the gospel of Jesus Christ. Third, a transformative experience whereby one is "added to the Lord" through the work of the Holy Spirit. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these recorded events are not meant merely to frighten people but to make them think deeply about eternal realities: "These things are just to draw your attention. And the message is this... it is this Jesus of Nazareth." The ultimate purpose is not terror but transformation, not fear alone but faith that follows from recognizing divine reality.
The Book of Acts
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.