In this further description of the inner life of the church, the emphasis is now on the power that was at work among them, especially through the apostles. The effectiveness of their witness in both word and deed explains the attack made upon them, which is the subject of the section following this one.

5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders (see notes on 1:26 and 2:22). It would appear from this, as from the earlier passage (see disc. on 2:43), that the gift of miracles was confined to the apostles. With the appointment of the Seven, however, it was soon extended at least to Stephen (6:8) and Philip (8:6, 13). Later Paul and Barnabas exercised the gift (14:3; 15:12; 19:11ff.; Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:12), and from Paul’s writings, we know that others also possessed “g…