Solomon's Porch

Solomon's Porch, Colonnade, Portico

Solomon's Porch, Colonnade, Portico
ACTS CHAPTER 5
Acts 5:5-11 Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:12-16 Solomon's Porch

Acts 5:17-23 Sadducees
ACTS 5:12  12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

Where was "Solomon's Porch" (Acts 5:12)?
Also known as "Solomon's Colonnade" or "Solomon's Portico," Solomon's Porch was a long, covered but open gallery created by two parallel rows of columns supporting a long wooden roof. Solomon's Porch ran along the eastern edge of the temple area, overlooking the Kidron Valley and facing the Mount of Olives to the east.

Why did they keep gathering at Solomon’s Porch?
It was centrally located and one of the few public places in Jerusalem that was large enough to accommodate a large crowd. It was also where people passed through or gathered to socialize and discuss before or after their sacrifices and prayers at the temple, and therefore a good place to share the Gospel.

ACTS 5:13-14  13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Who are "the rest" who didn't dare to "join" (Acts 5:13) the Christians at Solomon's Porch?
Since Solomon's Porch was next to the temple, it could be referring to the priests and others who ruled over the people and who were inside the temple. But given the context, it is more likely to refer to other hypocrites like Ananias and Sapphira who "dared" not "join them" lest they be exposed and struck dead as well (see Acts 5).

Who were "the people" who "esteemed" the Christians "highly" (Acts 5:14)?
The general public, among whom "many signs and wonders were done" (Acts 5:12) by the apostles and who witnessed both the true Christians sacrificially loving one another (see one heart one soul), and hypocrites being struck dead (see Ananias and Sapphira).

What did "multitudes of" (Acts 5:14) those "people" become?
"Believers" (Acts 5:13)

ACTS 5:15-16  15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits. And they were all healed.

How busy were the apostles during this time of rapid church growth?
Too busy to even stop and touch or speak to those whom the Lord was healing, and it is probable that the rest of the church was very busy as well.

Who were healed?
"All" (Acts 5:16) who were "sick" (Acts 5:15) and "tormented by unclean spirits" (Acts 5:16) who were brought to the Christians in Jerusalem.

Does God still grant miraculous healing today?
Yes, but the people on television who claim miraculous healings and then demand your money tend to be making false claims.

Did the people who were "healed" (Acts 5:16) back then and the people whom God heals today stay alive forever?
 

So what is the more important question?
Where we go when God's healing for our earthly body expires.