‘Signs and Wonders’ in Acts

Abstract

In 1987 Leo O’Reilly observed that ‘signs and wonders’ and its function in the overall narrative of Acts is a neglected topic. Only a few scholars have taken up the challenge and contributed to this topic. In this article, the author will strengthen O’Reilly’s arguments and further demonstrate that Luke uses the collocation of signs and wonders to argue for a strong parallel of Jesus and Moses and the ‘prophet to come’. Luke additionally demonstrates the continuity of Jesus’ prophetic ministry through his followers. In Acts the progress of early Christian mission is also associated with signs and wonders. Luke employs a chiasm – created throughout his use of signs and wonders – to argue for the church as the divinely commissioned continuation of salvation history.