Ministry of Shadows?!?

Acts 5:12-16

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.


Let me set the stage for you.

The early church is expanding with explosive force. Peter and the other apostles had gone from followers to leaders of the most quickly growing movement to-date. They were gaining believers 3,000 at a time. Peter now tempered with boldness from the Holy Spirit becomes the focal point of this new grassroots movement.

In analyzing this scripture for a study I am doing with my good friend Travis Jones, I am realizing something HUGE.

Firstly, you have to understand the mindset of the apostles. They were hand-picked by the messiah. He had taught them, he had shown them the ways of the Kingdom of God. He had preached, performed wonders, and prophesied to them and about them. It was evident to these 12, and the many that constantly followed, that He was God-incarnate.

Imagine if you will, seeing this God, your friend, your teacher, your Lord taken prisoner. Betrayed by one of your other friends and sentenced to a horrific death. Then, most scattered as their friend, Lord, and master was beaten, stripped, and humiliated.

Peter and the other apostles came from a thoroughly discouraging situation to one of boldness, power, and growth. How? The Holy Spirit. Jesus, as he ministered, said that there would be another "like me."

Acts 1 tells about Jesus commanding them to stay in Jerusalem until they were "endowed from on high." As the Holy Spirit came in each of them, it affected them differently. The Holy Spirit enabled Peter to speak with confidence and to the masses of the people. However, one thing that we don't notice very quickly is the aforementioned scripture. The scripture says that the Holy Spirit was on Peter so strongly that people were lining up to stand in his shadow!

Think about his for a second. The Holy Spirit, available to ANY believer gave Peter so much power that his SHADOW was healing people.

In our lives, there is shadow. This shadow is who we influence when we are not looking. What if every person we came into contact with were affected by the Holy Spirit? What if everyone we came into contact with were healed, tranformed, and set free from addiction and pain?

The Holy Spirit is a gift. If you have not received it and want to, shoot me a comment, I'd love to pray with you!

Pastor Sam

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