In most languages it is necessary to have some goal for the verb believed. Therefore, “believed Philip’s message” or “believed in Jesus Christ.”

By translating great wonders and miracles the Good News Translation has reversed the order of the Greek phrase “signs (that is, miracles) and great wonders.”

Though the phrase were being performed is passive, it can be changed to an active by making Philip the subject, for example, “the great wonders and miracles that Philip was doing.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .