The early church was marked by power that no one could manufacture on their own. In Acts 5:12–16, we see the apostles performing signs and wonders among the people, crowds gathering daily, and men and women coming to faith in Jesus — more than ever. This wasn't coincidence. It was the fruit of a community that prayed boldly, gathered expectantly, and took Jesus at his word.

This message asks three questions of the text: What was happening? Why was it happening? And what does it mean for us as a church in 2026? The answers point to a simple but profound truth — God has given his church a powerful ministry, and he is still moving today.

We are invited to come to God with open hands and expectant hearts, to pray boldly for what only he can do, and to press into the more that he has for us.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Signs and wonders in the early church were not ends in themselves — they pointed people to Jesus and led to salvation.
• The early believers gathered daily with desperation and expectation. The church is not a Sunday event; it is God's people assembling around his presence.
• God was fulfilling the very prayer the church had prayed in Acts 4 — bold requests for healing and wonders produced bold results.
• Jesus promised that those who believe in him would do even greater works (John 14:12). That promise still stands.
• God still heals today — not always, not never, but sometimes according to his sovereign will and for his purposes.
• We are called to pray boldly — for specific people, for healing, for salvation, for spiritual growth — not to test God, but to trust him.
• Come expectant. Jesus promises to be present when two or three gather in his name. That changes everything about how we show up.
• God is never done. Press into the more he has for you, for this church, and for those who don't yet know his name.

CONTACT

Branch Churchhttps://branchchurchmn.org

Interested in next steps? Reach out about baptism, Branch Homes, or how to get connected.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Welcome and Men's Retreat Announcement(03:00) Eleven Weeks in Acts: A Series Recap(04:15) Reading Acts 5:12–16(05:15) Three Questions to Guide the Text(05:45) What Was Happening: Signs and Wonders(07:45) Gathering Daily at Solomon's Colonnade(09:30) More Than Ever: Salvation and Growth(11:30) Healing in the Streets — Peter's Shadow and God's Power(13:30) Does God Still Heal Today?(14:30) Why It Was Happening: Jesus Foretold It(17:45) They Asked God for It — Acts 4:29–31(19:30) A Check on the Heart: Not for Proof, But for His Purpose(21:45) How to Apply: Come Expectant(25:15) Pray Boldly and Press Into the More

KEYWORDS

Acts 5, Acts 5:12-16, signs and wonders, healing, Holy Spirit, powerful ministry, prayer, salvation, early church, Solomon's Colonnade, John 14, Mark 16, Acts 4, boldness, expectation, Branch Church, Christian podcast, Minnesota church, Minneapolis church, faith, miracles, Jesus