Subject: Right purposes for miracles |
Bible Note: You seem to be forgetting the main purpose behind these miracles IF indeed they're from God. According to His Word, miracles have always been an used as "signs and wonders" to confirm the person performing them as having God's seal of approval. We even get such examples from the OT, like Elijah against Baal and his false prophets, 1 Ki 18. But from the NT we have Matt 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. John 4:48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe." Acts 2:19 'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- Acts 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Acts 4:30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." Acts 5:12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 7:36 "This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. Acts 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. Acts 15:12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. Rom 15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 2 Cor 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. 2 Thess 2:9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, Heb 2:4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. So we see from Jesus Himself that false people would also be performing these kinds of miracles (signs and wonders). We want to believe that only God's children (christians) could perform these miracles but alas God expects us to "test these spirits" and determine which is the real deal. Which ones have God's seal of approval just as in the first century? Thus we must use God's Word to inspect the quality of these miracles. We see this pattern started by the Bereans and endorsed by God. What did they do? They listened to one of the greatest Gospel preachers of all time but they didn't take Paul's word for the accuracy of his Gospel message. They compared what they were hearing to their scriptures. So we must do the same, in principle. So again, I ask in accordance with God's Word: 1) What characteristics between the miracles of today do we see matching those in the Bible? 2) What is the purpose of these miracles being performed in today's world? I would say this kind of investigation of today's miracles is paramount to prevent false teachers in dividing the Lord's church. God bless. --Rowdy |