I just saw something in Acts 14…

We’ve been talking about how the apostles used signs and wonders, and these miracles often resulted in more people becoming believers. For example:

And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw [the lame man walking], and they turned to the Lord….And [the resurrection of Dorcas] became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (Acts 9.35…42, ESV, emphasis mine)

But, like most historical accounts in the Bible, things don’t often work the same way twice. Here’s the result of Paul’s healing a lame man, something Peter had done at least twice (Acts 3 and Acts 9.)

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. (Acts 14.8 – 13, ESV)

Jewish people would have never mistaken Barnabas and Paul for Zeus and Hermes! But the folks at Lystra did. Paul ends up being stoned and left for dead. Despite it all, we know from Acts 14.20 – 23 and Acts 16.1, 2 that there were believers in Lystra – but not without some difficulty!

There are no magic formulas. No method of presenting the gospel “works” every time. Even “signs and wonders” don’t guarantee positive results. Not even Jesus’ miracles always resulted in people believing:

Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11.20 – 23, ESV)