Acts 5:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This did not happen under Christ, and from this one may see that what He said was now fulfilled in deed. What exactly was this? "He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do" (Jn 14:12). Great was the faith of those who came, even greater than under Christ. Why did this happen? Because Christ had foretold it, saying, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do" (Jn 14:12). They remained there and did not go about through cities and villages. Yet everyone brought their sick to them on beds and couches, and everywhere they manifested wonders.

The handkerchiefs and aprons of the Apostle Paul had the same miraculous effect upon the sick and the demon-possessed (Acts 19:12). So also now, by the grace of God present in the Orthodox Church, numerous and miraculous healings of every kind of disease occur. They come from the incorrupt relics of the holy saints of God, from their coverings and garments, and from their holy icons. Miracles are performed in a given place and upon given people only by the grace of God and through the faith of those who turn to God for help. For this reason Christ said more than once, "Arise, go your way, your faith has saved you" and "according to your faith let it be to you" (Lk 8:48). Therefore, Orthodox Christians, have a pure and firm faith in God (Mk 11:23).

When the Apostle Peter convicted Ananias and Sapphira of sacrilege, and when both at once fell dead at his feet, the heart of the people who heard and saw all this was struck with great fear and trembling. Therefore, the sacred historian says, "none of the rest," that is, of the unbelievers, "dared join themselves to them," that is, approach them with the intention of offending them. "But all the people magnified them," that is, they had great reverence for them and crowned them with many praises. Moreover, not only did the people magnify them, but a multitude of men and women also believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and greatly increased the number of those who believed in Him.

While many signs and wonders continued to be done among the people by the hands of the apostles, unanimity continued to reign among all the Christians. When they came to the temple at the hours of worship, to take part with their countrymen in prayers and hymns to Jehovah, they all remained with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Because of its considerable size, this porch was a more suitable place in the temple for the Christians, who by that time had already become a great number, to separate themselves and withdraw from those who did not believe in Christ. At these gatherings in a public place, the Christians' seclusion could most easily have been disturbed. Yet even there, none of the outsiders dared attach himself to them.

"And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women"; v. 14. The power of the Gospel preaching, the great miracles worked by the apostles, the pious and virtuous life of believers in Christ, and the examples of so many turning to Christ all disposed many men and women to accept faith in Jesus Christ. The believers were joined to the Church of Christ.

Fifth: the number of believers in Christ increased more and more, both men and women.

The distinctness of the Christian Church had already been expressed earlier, namely in the fact that Christians gathered in a special upper room and in homes to celebrate the Mystery of Communion. Now, however, the idea of their separation from the Jewish Church had become so clear to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that they did not mingle with them. At the same time, they did not hinder them from gathering in Solomon's Porch of the Jerusalem temple. In general, they regarded the Christians with praise, and some even turned wholly to Christ. There were many such people, both women and men. One may think that women were among the three thousand and among the five thousand. Yet then the conversion of men probably predominated.