Acts 5:15

Peter’s powerful influence reminds us of Jesus’ influence during the early days of His Galilean ministry when all Capernaum gathered at His door (Mark 1:32-34). Elsewhere Luke described the power of God’s presence overshadowing someone (cf. Luke 1:35; Luke 9:34). The text does not say that Peter’s shadow healed people. It says that people wanted to get close to Peter because he was so powerful. [Note: See Barrett, pp. 276-77.] Even today some people superstitiously believe that a person’s shadow carries his power. Some parents have pulled their children away from the shadow of a wicked person and thrust them into the shadow of an honored individual. The action of these first century Near Easterners shows their respect for Peter who had the power to heal. These signs and wonders authenticated the apostles as Jesus and God’s representatives (cf. Acts 19:11-12; Matthew 10:8).

"I have often told how my oldest son at one time had an eclipse of faith until one day several of us were invited to spend an afternoon with William Jennings Bryan in his Florida home, and I was asked to bring my son. During that visit, for two or three hours we discussed the Word of God and exchanged thoughts on precious portions of Scripture. The young man sat apart and said very little, but as we left that place he turned to me and exclaimed, ’Father, I have been a fool! I thought I couldn’t believe the Bible, but if a man like that with his education and intelligence can believe, I am making a fool of myself to pretend I cannot accept it.’ So much for the shadow ministry of William Jennings Bryan." [Note: Ironside, Lectures on . . ., p. 136.]