Overview
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." — Mark 16:17-18 BSB
The signs of the apostles represent the miraculous demonstrations of divine power that validated the apostolic office and confirmed the message of Jesus Christ in the early church. These were not ordinary miracles performed by believers, but specific supernatural acts that authenticated the apostles as authorized messengers of God. The term signs of the apostles appears distinctly in Paul's writing to the Corinthians, where he contrasts authentic apostolic authority with false claims to leadership. Understanding these signs requires careful examination of Scripture to distinguish between the miraculous gifts distributed among all believers and the particular authenticating miracles that belonged uniquely to the apostolic office.
Biblical Account
The apostles received their commission directly from the risen Jesus Christ with the promise of supernatural power to accomplish their mission. Jesus instructed them to preach the gospel to all creation and assured them that signs would follow their ministry. The writer of Hebrews confirms this understanding, stating that the great salvation message was first spoken by the Lord and then confirmed to believers by those who heard Him, "with God also testifying by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will." — Hebrews 2:3-4 BSB
Paul explicitly identifies these miracles as credentials of his apostolic office when addressing questions about his authority. He writes, "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and mighty deeds." — 2 Corinthians 12:12 BSB These signs included healing the sick, raising the dead, driving out demons, and performing other extraordinary works that demonstrated divine power. The apostles worked "through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God" — Romans 15:19 BSB, establishing their credentials throughout the regions where they ministered.
The book of Acts provides numerous examples of these authenticating signs. Peter and John healed a beggar at the temple gate, commanding him in the name of Jesus to walk. Stephen performed great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Philip the evangelist cast out demons and healed the paralyzed and lame. These demonstrations were not incidental to apostolic ministry but essential confirmations that God was working through them to accomplish His redemptive plan.
Theological Significance
The signs of the apostles reveal God's commitment to authenticating His messengers and the truth they proclaim. These miracles served as divine seals upon the apostolic testimony, providing undeniable evidence that the apostles spoke with God's authority. They demonstrated that Jesus Christ possessed all power in heaven and on earth and that His ascension did not diminish His ability to work miracles through His appointed representatives. The signs also revealed God's compassion toward suffering humanity and His power over disease, demons, and death itself.
These miracles authenticated the new covenant message and the authority of the apostles to establish the church and determine doctrine. As the canon of Scripture was being completed and the apostolic office was foundational to the church's establishment, these authenticating signs were essential to the redemptive-historical work of God. Once the New Testament was completed and the apostolic office concluded, the need for these particular authenticating signs passed, marking a distinct period in God's redemptive plan.
Key Bible Verses
- Mark 16:17-18 BSB — Jesus promised that signs would accompany believers, including casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, handling serpents, and healing the sick.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 BSB — Paul declares that the signs of a true apostle were demonstrated through perseverance, signs, wonders, and mighty deeds performed among the Corinthians.
- Hebrews 2:3-4 BSB — The salvation message was confirmed to believers through signs, wonders, and various miracles by gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:19 BSB — Paul testifies that through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit, he fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
- Acts 2:43 BSB — Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles, filling everyone with awe and reverence.
Application
Believers today should recognize that the apostolic signs belonged to a specific historical period when the foundation of the church was being established and the New Testament was being written. While the Holy Spirit continues to work supernaturally in believers' lives today, the authenticating signs of the apostolic office were unique to that era. We should study these accounts to strengthen our faith in Christ's power and to understand the historical reality of God's work in establishing His church. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," — John 20:29 BSB, directing our faith toward trust in His word rather than dependence on miraculous signs.