Miracles in the Book of Acts
Quick Summary
The miracles in Acts are not random displays of spiritual power. Luke presents them as signs that the risen Jesus is still at work through the Holy Spirit. Healings, exorcisms, deliverance, prophetic guidance, and even resurrections accompany the gospel as it spreads from Jerusalem to Rome. These wonders confirm the apostles’ witness, confront forces that dehumanize, and open doors for proclamation. At the same time, Acts refuses to turn miracles into a formula. Some are dramatic and public, others are quiet and personal, and many happen in the shadow of suffering. The consistent message is that God’s kingdom is breaking in, and Jesus’ life-giving authority has not ended with the ascension.
Introduction
Acts can be read as a book of sermons, councils, journeys, and trials. But it is also a book of wonder. From the very beginning, Luke shows that the Spirit’s coming does not only produce bold speech. It produces visible signs that the gospel is not only information. It is power.
Luke is careful, though. He never treats miracles as entertainment. In Acts, miracles usually do at least one of three things.
They confirm the message about Jesus.
They expose and break oppressive spiritual power.
They strengthen the church in moments where fear could easily win.
And the deeper claim underneath it all is this: the miracles of Acts are an extension of the miracles of Luke’s Gospel. Jesus healed bodies and freed people during his earthly ministry. In Acts, Jesus continues that ministry through the Spirit and through the church.
For Luke’s own catalog of Jesus’ works, see 18 Miracles in the Gospel of Luke.
Miracles in Acts as Continuation of Jesus’ Ministry
Luke signals this continuity early.
Peter heals a man who has been unable to walk, and he does so explicitly “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 3:6). Peter then explains that the power is not his own. It comes from the God who raised Jesus and glorified his servant (Acts 3:12-16). The miracle becomes a doorway into preaching about repentance, resurrection, and restoration (Acts 3:19-21).
In Luke’s Gospel, miracles reveal who Jesus is. In Acts, miracles reveal that Jesus has not stopped being who he is.
Luke also places miracles in the same theological frame Jesus used in Luke: the kingdom of God. Jesus said the kingdom’s arrival could be recognized in liberation and healing. Acts shows those signs continuing as the gospel moves into new places.
An Organized Look at the Major Miracles in Acts
What follows is not every unusual moment in Acts, but the clearest miracle episodes Luke uses to shape the narrative. You will see all the miracles in the table, with a summary of them below.
| Miracle | Passage | Geography | Missionary Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentecost: Spirit poured out, tongues | Acts 2:1-13 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 1–7 |
| Healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate | Acts 3:1-10 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 1–7 |
| Signs and wonders through the apostles (summary) | Acts 5:12-16 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 1–7 |
| Angel opens prison doors; apostles released | Acts 5:17-21 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 1–7 |
| Judgment: Ananias and Sapphira | Acts 5:1-11 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 1–7 |
| Healings and exorcisms through Philip | Acts 8:4-8 |
Samaria
Judea & Samaria phase
|
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Spirit guidance: Ethiopian official; Philip “carried away” | Acts 8:26-40 |
Judea (road)
Toward Gaza
|
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Peter heals Aeneas | Acts 9:32-35 | Judea Lydda |
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Tabitha (Dorcas) raised from the dead | Acts 9:36-42 | Judea Joppa |
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Cornelius: Spirit poured out on Gentiles (tongues) | Acts 10:44-48 |
Judea
Caesarea
|
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Angel delivers Peter from prison | Acts 12:6-11 | Jerusalem | Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Judgment: Herod struck down | Acts 12:20-23 | Judea Caesarea |
Not a journey Acts 8–12 |
| Judgment on Elymas (blindness); proconsul believes | Acts 13:6-12 | Cyprus Paphos |
Journey 1
Acts 13–14
|
| Healing of a man lame from birth (Lystra) | Acts 14:8-10 | Asia Minor Lystra |
Journey 1
Acts 13–14
|
| Deliverance: spirit driven out of slave girl | Acts 16:16-18 | Macedonia Philippi |
Journey 2
Acts 15:36–18:22
|
| Earthquake opens prison; deliverance leads to conversion | Acts 16:25-34 | Macedonia Philippi |
Journey 2
Acts 15:36–18:22
|
| Extraordinary healings and deliverance through Paul | Acts 19:11-12 | Asia Minor Ephesus |
Journey 3
Acts 18:23–21:14
|
| Sons of Sceva episode (failed exorcism; fear and repentance) | Acts 19:13-20 | Asia Minor Ephesus |
Journey 3
Acts 18:23–21:14
|
| Eutychus raised after falling from the window | Acts 20:7-12 | Aegean region Troas |
Journey 3
Acts 18:23–21:14
|
| The Lord stands by Paul, strengthening him | Acts 23:11 | Jerusalem | Not one of the 3 Arrest & Trials (Acts 21–28) |
| Providence in the storm: promise of survival | Acts 27:21-26 | Mediterranean Sea | Not one of the 3 Journey to Rome (Acts 27–28) |
| Shipwreck and all reach land safely | Acts 27:42-44 | Mediterranean Sea Near Malta |
Not one of the 3 Journey to Rome (Acts 27–28) |
| Viper bite with no harm | Acts 28:3-6 | Ends of the earth Malta |
Not one of the 3 Journey to Rome (Acts 27–28) |
| Healings on Malta (Publius’ father; others) | Acts 28:7-10 | Ends of the earth Malta |
Not one of the 3 Journey to Rome (Acts 27–28) |
Miracles in Jerusalem (Acts 1–7)
The miracle of Pentecost
The first “wonder” in Acts is the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost. A sound like wind, tongues as of fire, and the gift of speech across languages accompany the Spirit’s arrival (Acts 2:1-4). The sign is immediately tied to proclamation, and Peter interprets it through Scripture (Acts 2:16-21).
Pentecost is not only a miracle to be marveled at. It is the birth of witness.
The healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate
Peter and John heal a man who has been lame from birth (Acts 3:2-8). The man enters the temple “walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8). The miracle becomes public, undeniable, and disruptive, leading to confrontation with authorities (Acts 4:1-3).
Luke wants readers to see that the gospel will collide with power not only through words but through visible evidence of restoration.
Signs and wonders among the people
Luke summarizes a period where many signs and wonders occur through the apostles, and the community grows (Acts 5:12-16). People bring the sick into the streets, hoping even Peter’s shadow might fall on them (Acts 5:15). Luke is not turning Peter into a magician. He is showing the density of healing activity in Jerusalem.
Angelic deliverance from prison
When apostles are imprisoned, an angel opens the prison doors and tells them to continue proclaiming in the temple (Acts 5:18-20). Later, Peter is again imprisoned, and an angel leads him out past guards and iron gates (Acts 12:6-11). These deliverances show that the mission cannot be contained by local authorities.
Judgment and the fear of God
The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira are framed as divine judgment connected to lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11). Luke includes this episode near other signs and wonders to show that the Spirit’s presence is not only comforting. It is holy.
Miracles in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8–12)
Healings and exorcisms through Philip
Philip proclaims Christ in Samaria, and unclean spirits come out with loud cries; many who are paralyzed or lame are cured (Acts 8:6-7). The result is joy in that city (Acts 8:8).
Luke is showing that the gospel’s expansion into Samaria is accompanied by the same kind of liberation seen in Jesus’ ministry.
A miraculous guidance moment on the desert road
The Spirit directs Philip to approach the Ethiopian official’s chariot, leading to Scripture interpretation and baptism (Acts 8:29-38). Then Philip is suddenly carried away, and the official goes on rejoicing (Acts 8:39). This is less about spectacle than about God’s initiative in mission.
Peter heals Aeneas
Peter heals a man named Aeneas who has been bedridden for eight years, saying, “Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:33-34). Luke again keeps the focus on Jesus as the healer.
Tabitha (Dorcas) raised from the dead
In Joppa, Peter prays and tells Tabitha to get up, and she opens her eyes and sits up (Acts 9:40-41). This miracle is particularly significant because it echoes Jesus raising the dead in Luke’s Gospel. It also highlights the church’s care for widows, as Tabitha is remembered for acts of charity (Acts 9:36).
For Luke’s similar resurrection scene, see Raising the Widow’s Son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17).
Cornelius and the Spirit poured out on Gentiles
The Spirit’s falling on Cornelius’ household is a miracle of inclusion and astonishment, accompanied by speaking in tongues (Acts 10:44-46). This is not a healing miracle, but Luke narrates it as a decisive sign that God has welcomed Gentiles without requiring them to become Jews.
Herod struck down
When Herod accepts divine honors, an angel strikes him down, and he dies (Acts 12:21-23). Luke places this judgment alongside the statement that “the word of God continued to advance” (Acts 12:24). The contrast is sharp: rulers rise and fall, the gospel continues.
Miracles in Paul’s Ministry (Acts 13–20)
Judgment on Elymas and the proconsul believes
On Cyprus, Paul confronts Elymas, and temporary blindness follows (Acts 13:8-11). The proconsul believes after seeing what happens (Acts 13:12). Luke uses this to show the gospel’s power meeting opposition early in Paul’s mission.
Healing in Lystra and the danger of misunderstanding
Paul heals a man who has never walked (Acts 14:8-10). The crowd responds by trying to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods (Acts 14:11-13). This episode is important because it shows miracles can be misread in a pagan setting. Luke includes the confusion to highlight that signs are not self-interpreting. They require proclamation.
Deliverance in Philippi and the economic backlash
Paul drives out a spirit from a slave girl exploited for profit (Acts 16:16-18). When her owners lose income, they stir trouble that leads to Paul and Silas’ imprisonment (Acts 16:19-24). The miracle exposes exploitation, and the backlash reveals how profit and oppression are often intertwined.
An earthquake and a jailhouse conversion
In prison, Paul and Silas pray and sing, and an earthquake opens doors and loosens chains (Acts 16:25-26). The jailer’s conversion follows, and an entire household is baptized (Acts 16:29-34). Luke presents the miracle as rescue and as mission.
Extraordinary miracles in Ephesus
Luke says God does “extraordinary miracles” through Paul, with cloths that had touched him bringing healing and deliverance (Acts 19:11-12). Then Luke includes the story of Jewish exorcists who try to use Jesus’ name without belonging to Jesus, and the attempt backfires spectacularly (Acts 19:13-16). The result is fear and public renunciation of magic practices (Acts 19:17-19).
Luke’s emphasis is that the power is not mechanical. The name of Jesus is not an incantation. The Spirit is not a technique.
Eutychus raised after falling
In Troas, Eutychus falls from a third-story window during a late-night gathering and is taken up dead, but Paul embraces him and says, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him” (Acts 20:9-10). The community is consoled (Acts 20:12).
This miracle is quietly pastoral. It is not staged. It happens because the church is gathered, and life is fragile, and God gives life back.
Miracles in Paul’s Journey to Rome (Acts 21–28)
Jesus’ presence and encouragement
Acts includes moments where the Lord strengthens Paul directly, including the reassurance that he will testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). This is not a public wonder, but it is a miracle of direction and courage. Luke is showing that the mission is carried not only by outward signs, but by inward sustaining grace.
Shipwreck and survival
Acts 27 reads like a sea epic because it is a story of providence. The storm is violent, hope is fading, and then Paul stands and tells them God has granted safety for all on board (Acts 27:21-26). They shipwreck, but all reach land safely (Acts 27:42-44). Survival itself becomes a sign that Paul’s mission to Rome will not be stopped.
The viper on Malta and island healings
On Malta, Paul is bitten by a viper, but suffers no harm (Acts 28:3-5). The islanders interpret it through their own categories, then revise their interpretation when he does not die (Acts 28:6). Paul then heals the father of Publius and many others on the island (Acts 28:8-9).
The final stretch of Acts includes healings and hospitality, reminding readers that even as Paul moves toward Rome’s courts, the gospel is still a life-giving presence wherever it lands.
What the Miracles in Acts Are For
Luke does not give miracles as a checklist. He gives them as theological signs.
Miracles in Acts:
Confirm the apostles’ testimony about the risen Jesus (Acts 3:15-16).
Demonstrate liberation from oppressive spiritual forces (Acts 8:7; Acts 16:18).
Open doors for preaching and community formation (Acts 16:29-34).
Display God’s holiness and warn against using the Spirit for image or profit (Acts 5:5-11; Acts 19:13-16).
Sustain the mission through deliverance, guidance, and courage (Acts 12:6-11; Acts 23:11).
And above all, they insist on this central claim: Jesus is alive, and his authority has not faded.
FAQ
Are miracles common throughout Acts?
Yes. Luke reports signs and wonders in Jerusalem (Acts 5:12-16), in Samaria (Acts 8:6-7), and throughout Paul’s ministry (Acts 19:11-12). Miracles appear across the book because Luke is showing that the gospel spreads with power and with visible signs of the Spirit’s work.
Do miracles in Acts prove the message is true?
Luke often presents miracles as confirming signs that support apostolic witness, especially when done in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:6; Acts 3:15-16). But Acts also shows that signs can be misunderstood or misused, which is why miracles are consistently joined to proclamation and teaching (Acts 14:11-15; Acts 19:13-16).
Why does Acts include miracles of judgment as well as healing?
Acts portrays the Spirit as holy. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira are tied to lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-5), and Herod’s death is tied to receiving worship that belongs to God (Acts 12:21-23). Luke includes judgment scenes to show that the kingdom of God confronts sin and pride as well as sickness.
Is speaking in tongues in Acts a miracle?
Luke narrates tongues as a Spirit-given sign at key moments, beginning at Pentecost (Acts 2:4) and appearing again when Gentiles receive the Spirit (Acts 10:44-46). In Acts, tongues functions as evidence of the Spirit’s presence and as a sign of God’s widening welcome.
What is the relationship between miracles in Luke and miracles in Acts?
Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus healing, freeing, and raising the dead as signs of the kingdom. Acts shows that this same life-giving work continues through the Spirit and in the name of Jesus. A clear bridge is Peter healing “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 3:6) and the raising of Tabitha echoing Jesus’ resuscitation miracles in Luke (Acts 9:40-41; Luke 7:11-17).
Does Acts teach that miracles always happen when people have faith?
Acts does not present miracles as a guaranteed outcome of a spiritual formula. Some people are healed dramatically, others suffer, and the apostles themselves endure prison and violence (Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22-24). Luke’s emphasis is not control, but God’s freedom and faithfulness as the mission moves forward.
