Fear
came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Acts 2:43
Acts 2 [38.] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
Acts 2 [41.] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 3 [1.] Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”
Meaning:
After Pentecost about three thousand people were baptized, and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:41-42). Luke now adds a short sentence about the atmosphere in Jerusalem. A deep sense of awe rested on everyone, and God kept working wonders through the apostles.
- “Fear came on every soul”
This fear was not terror or anxiety but reverent awe at the nearness of God. People sensed that God himself was at work among them. Scripture often speaks of such fear as healthy and good: “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Later Luke describes the churches as “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:31).
“Every soul” seems to include not only the believers but the wider population of Jerusalem. After the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, Luke writes again, “Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things” (Acts 5:11).
- “Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles”
The same words describe the ministry of Jesus. Peter had just reminded the crowd that God did “mighty works and wonders and signs” through Jesus (Acts 2:22). Now the risen Lord continued those works through his apostles. Jesus had promised, “he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also” (John 14:12). The next story in Acts gives an example, done “through” the apostles but in Jesus’ name: a man lame from birth is healed at the temple gate in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:2-6).
- Signs that confirm the word
The miracles were not ends in themselves. They confirmed the message of the gospel. Mark writes that the apostles “preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed” (Mark 16:20). Hebrews says God testified to the message of salvation “both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Hebrews 2:4).
Christians hold different views on whether such signs continue today in the same way. Some believe they were mainly given to confirm the apostles’ message in the founding of the church. Others believe God still works miracles through his people as he chooses. All agree that God is free to act in power and that the gospel itself is his greatest work.
The Significance of Acts 2:43
- Living with reverence
A church that knows God is present will be marked by holy awe. Hebrews urges believers to “serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).
- God confirms his word
God still stands behind the message of Jesus. Changed lives, answered prayers and acts of power all point people to the risen Lord.
Cross-References:
Mark 16:20: "They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed." Signs confirming the gospel.
Conclusion: In the days after Pentecost a deep reverent awe rested on everyone in Jerusalem, and God did many wonders and signs through the apostles. The risen Jesus continued his works through his messengers, confirming their word. The verse calls us to live in reverence and to trust the God who still stands behind his gospel.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible