How Does Divine Intervention Work Today?

How does divine intervention work today?

We read about the way that God intervened in human affairs in the Bible. Does he still do that today? And if not, Why not? That’s what we’ll look at in our text today (Acts 5:12-42) where we see three examples of divine intervention (miracles, angels, and one more…)

Before we get to the text, let’s make this question personal. Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation where you needed some divine intervention? Your back was against the wall, and if God didn’t show up you’d be in a world of hurt…

• Early days of Alpine: we emptied our bank accounts and were still $2000 short. Went to the mailbox day of closing to find a $2000 check from out of state friends!
• Some of you might be in a similar place
  • Financially
  • Relationally
  • Emotionally
  • Physically
  • Spiritually

Today, in our passage we are actually going to see a couple of unlikely interventions orchestrated by God to get people out of own impossible situations. Let’s get to the text…

Miracles

Acts 5:12-16 (NLT) 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

• • The most amazing kind of divine intervention: miracles. A couple of observations about the text:
    • This was a direct answer to their prayers from ch 4: Acts 4:30 “Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
    • The purpose was to validate their message, point people to Jesus. It wasn’t about the apostles! 
    • Peter’s shadow: note how the ESV says it: Acts 5:15 (ESV) they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
      • The Bible doesn’t actually say that they were healed this way, but rather that they hoped they would be.

• But the big question: does God still intervene like this today?

• • • We covered this a few weeks ago in Acts 3. Here’s a reminder of some of the talking points:
      • Miracles still happen today, but we do not have the power to demand them. The Bible teaches that only God has the power to speak things into existence.
        • As opposed to “name it and claim it” theo
      • We can’t just order God around. The more we are aligned with Jesus, the more we can pray according to his will.
        • John 15:7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

• So why don’t we see this as much today? 

• • • Maybe we don’t need it to validate our message.
      • Even in Jesus’ ministry on earth, his miracles tapered off after a while. He said sign-seekers were wicked and perverse. (Mt 16:4)
    • Maybe it’s our lack of faith. (wake up call)
    • Maybe it’s our lack of desperation. 

But that’s just the first kind of divine intervention in the text. There’s more! 

Angels

Acts 5:17-21 (NLT) 17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!” 21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

• What does the Bible say about angels? 
  • The Bible has a lot to say about angels, and some of it will surprise the modern ear. For starters, angels are a different species than humans; they are not the souls of dead people!
  • Nature: Angels are created by God (Colossians 1:16) and are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14). 
    • They don’t look like what you think. They often announced: “Fear not!” IOW, they’re terrifying! Danish film studio’s wicked attempt at putting what the Old Testament prophets describe to CGI: Check out this video.

• Messengers: The word “angel” means “messenger,” and they often serve as God’s messengers to humans. 
  • Ex: Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
• Warriors: Angels engage in spiritual warfare, battling against evil forces. Michael, the archangel, is often associated with this role (Revelation 12:7-9).
• Numerous: The Bible describes a vast number of angels organized into ranks or orders (Revelation 5:11, Colossians 1:16).
• Protectors: Angels are sometimes seen protecting or delivering God’s people. (Acts 5, Acts 12).

• Q. Do angels still work like this today?
  • Hebrews 1:14 (NLT) 14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
  • Some Christians believe that every person has a guardian angel assigned by God to protect and guide them.
  • Cessationist View: Some Christians, particularly in Reformed and evangelical traditions, believe that while angels exist, their direct intervention in human affairs may be less common or more subtle today. They argue that with the completed revelation of Scripture, God primarily guides and protects through the Holy Spirit and His Word, rather than through angelic visitations.
  • Continuationist View: Many Christians, especially those in charismatic and Pentecostal traditions, believe that angels continue to intervene in the lives of believers today. They cite personal testimonies of protection, guidance, or miraculous events that they attribute to angelic activity.

Trans: there’s one more kind of divine intervention in the text. This one is the most unexpected type…

People

Acts 5:26-28 (NLT) 26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

The disciples wouldn’t relent. Continued to reject their authority, and then…

Acts 5:33-35 (NLT) 33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!

Acts 5:38-39 (NLT) 38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

• Sometimes God intervenes directly through people
  • Even people who don’t acknowledge him
  • Ex: Cyrus in OT

Close

Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

• He might use miracles, angels, or even regular old people
• Or he might not intervene in any of these ways
  • 7:57-60 Stephen’s martyrdom
  • 12:1-2 James’ death
  • 21:30-36 Paul’s extended imprisonment