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Acts 5:12
ESV Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.
NIV The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.
NASB At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all together in Solomon’s portico.
CSB Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's Colonnade.
NLT The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade.
KJV 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.

What does Acts 5:12 mean?

Despite the Sanhedrin's orders not to teach or speak in Jesus' name (Acts 4:18), the apostles continue their ministry right next to the temple. The temple mount is surrounded by covered walkways called porticos. They are popular places for rabbis to teach their students, and anyone else happening by who is interested. It's safe to say none of the other teachers had such a healing ministry. Jesus had said the disciples would do greater works than He (John 14:12), meaning in scale, not power. Now, in order to validate their message, the Holy Spirit has so empowered the apostles that apparently even Peter's shadow can heal (Acts 5:15).

Hebrews 2:4 recounts this part of the apostles' ministry. The Holy Spirit attested to the apostles' ministry "by signs and wonders and various miracles." Hebrews 2:1–3 explains why these miracles are important. At the time, they drew people to a saving faith in Jesus. Later, they acted as a reminder of how deserving we are of retribution for our sins and how we should not "drift away" from the message of Jesus' gift of salvation.

Faith should never be dependent on signs, however (John 2:23–25; 4:48). After Thomas finally saw Jesus and affirmed His identity, Jesus said, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). It's unclear why the Holy Spirit allows the church to grow through the healing of the sick and demon possessed. Possibly because before long, persecution would drive the Jesus-followers out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and the powerful signs would keep them encouraged as they spread the gospel.
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