THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 80 Can Men Perform Miracles Today?
“7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, KJV).
Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle with false teaching, Satan has deceived many into thinking they are able to perform miracles. Webster gives a number of definitions for “miracle,” including: “a phenomenon of science; a wonderful thing; an event in the physical world deviating from the known laws of nature.” The first two that we listed are really questionable insofar as true, genuine, Biblical miracles are concerned. Something may be a “phenomenon of science,” or even a “wonderful thing,” but these are most certainly not miracles.
We may find a parking space at Walmart that is close to the door, but that is not a “miracle.” In fact, our age has so MISUSED the word “miracle,” that the extraordinary nature of a miracle is no longer considered when one contemplates whether or not something is truly a miracle.
Today there are hundreds (yea, even thousands) who claim miraculous abilities, but who, at least to our knowledge, have yet to perform genuine miracles of the same magnitude as those recorded in the New Testament. We have NOT seen nor heard of a man who, after four days in the grave, was raised to life (cf. John 11:17, 38-44). We have NOT seen a man have his ear cut off and restored to completeness with the touch of a hand (cf. Luke 22:50-51). We have NOT seen a man born blind, and then after many years having his sight restored in an instant (cf. John 9:1-11).
So why the apparent absence of such miracles? What was God's purpose for having miracles performed in the first place? Was there a time limit with regard to miracles imposed by God and defined in His word? These are questions that deserve an open, honest, and most importantly, a Biblical answer.
Think with us, for just a moment, about the purpose of miracles. When Jesus came to this earth, lived that sinless life, and died and ascended back to the “right hand of God,” He selected a few men through whom he would accomplish the task of sending the gospel throughout the world. He gave them the ability to authenticate that message as having come from His throne by endowing them with miraculous powers.
While it is true that Jesus had compassion on the sick, and fed the multitudes, the primary purpose of His mighty deeds was NOT to lift man to a socially higher platform, but prove that His preaching and teaching were divinely authorized.
Reflect for a moment upon the Old Testament. Moses was given unique powers to confirm the message unto Pharaoh. There is a link between the revelation and the confirmation of that message to others. In Mark 2, Jesus would forgive the lame man. When questioned as to what authority Jesus had to forgive this man, Jesus responded with these words: “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins, I say unto thee, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house” (Mark 2:10).
When the apostles marched forth with the royal orders, how would they authenticate their message? The answer can be found in Mark 16:20. “And they went forth, and preached everywhere...confirming the message by the signs that followed.” Once a thing is confirmed, it forever stands. The truth being established, the “miracle” has accomplished its purpose.
With the purpose in mind, it seems that the next point to be considered is exactly how the ability to perform miracles was passed along to another. Not everyone in the early church had the ability to perform miracles. So how was this “ability” to perform miracles passed along to others? One important passage to study in this connection is Acts 8:14-20.
Philip (the evangelist; not apostle) had gone to Samaria to preach the word of God. One of those converts was Simon the sorcerer. In order to strengthen the church, it was necessary that this new congregation of babes in Christ be endowed with at least some of the spiritual gifts. In order to pass along the “gifts” similar to those which Philip possessed, Peter and John (both apostles) were called from Jerusalem. They laid their hands upon a certain number of the brethren there, and at least some of them received the miraculous endowment of the Holy Spirit (verse 17).
When considering this bestowal of the miraculous some questions come to mind. Why did Philip have to call down apostles from Jerusalem? What is meant by the “laying on of the apostles’ hands”?
A careful investigation of these verses forces us to conclude the following: (1) Philip did NOT have the power to bestow the ability to perform miracles upon these new believers himself; (2) the particular manifestation of the working of the Holy Spirit under consideration is that of the miraculous element which existed in the church; (3) this miraculous element was passed along by the “laying on of the apostles' hands”; (4) no indication is given that the particular ability to pass along the miraculous powers was available to any beside the apostles; (5) the death of the apostles would, of necessity, bring a cessation of the miraculous powers so prevalent in the early church. Can we substantiate our conclusion with other passages?
Once asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” We responded with, “Depends on what you mean by ‘do you believe in…’” Do we believe God has performed miracles? Yes! Did Jesus and the apostles work miracles? Again, yes! But what we want to address right here is the question of whether or not miracles have ceased. We shall let the Bible speak. Emotions do not establish truth. Claims to have “witnessed” some miracle will not suffice either. If it is the case that the word of God teaches that miracles have ceased, all claims to the contrary do not make the Bible ‘not-so.’
We may not be able to explain what you “saw,” or what you may have “experienced,” but if it contradicts the plain teaching of the Bible, then at least we can tell you what you did NOT see or experience.
Another important item that begs consideration is the obvious absence of miracles comparable to those recorded in the New Testament. The very absence of these powers among virtually every group claiming such is evidence enough that they have no such power. “The proof is in the pudding” is applicable to more than just a confectionery delight. Claims need to be substantiated by proof.
It seems that the religious world has turned Bible teaching on its head when it comes to a reasonable and rational discussion of the spiritual gifts. This is due in no little part to the sheer emotionalism that dominates the discussion of the topic of miracles and the work of the Holy Spirit. There is a reason why God provided us with a detailed discussion of the spiritual gifts, and any good Bible student will put forth the effort to carefully study those passages that address the subject.
Paramount in a proper understanding of miracles is a study of 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 where we find not only a list of the spiritual gifts, but an explanation of their purpose and duration. Chapter twelve lists the miraculous gifts available to the first century Christians (see 12:8-10).
Notice there were nine spiritual gifts, given here in the order in which they appear: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. It is also notable that these nine gifts can be divided into three groups, with each group consisting of three of the spiritual gifts.
Before addressing these groups and their corresponding gifts, let us remind you that the overall purpose of the age of the miraculous was to confirm the word of God (cf. Mark 16:20, Hebrews 2:2-4). Do not lose sight of that fact, for in so doing you will forever be lost in a proper analysis of these spiritual gifts and the purpose for which they were given.
The first three spiritual gifts—wisdom, knowledge, and faith—all relate to the content of divine revelation. The early church did not have the printed New Testament like we have today. The message was “in the man” (as some are fond of saying). Inspired apostles, and evidently inspired prophets and teachers, were granted the ability to convey the message to others by utilizing one, or all, of these spiritual gifts.
The word “faith” here is not personal trust and belief in God; it is more properly “the faith,” i.e. the gospel system. Jude likewise refers to “the faith” as a body of belief (Jude 3). “Knowledge” was given to these inspired teachers in a miraculous way. Today preachers and teachers have to dig the truth out of the treasures of God’s word. Though some may claim direct knowledge from God, they are sadly mistaken.
The next three spiritual gifts—healings, miracles, and prophecy—all relate to the confirmation of divine revelation. How would the apostles authenticate the message they were taking into all the world? They would do this by the use of healings, miracles, and prophecy.
Here the word “prophecy” is used to indicate “fore-telling” more than “forth-telling,” though prophecy included both. The miracles performed by the apostles are sometimes referred to as “signs and wonders” because of the purpose and effect of those miracles. These miraculous acts on the part of the apostles would cause the people to “wonder,” or to be “amazed” at what they were witnessing, and thereby pay closer attention to the message itself.
The third group of spiritual gifts—discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues—all relate to the communication of divine revelation. How, for example, would a preacher communicate with a multitude whose language he did not speak? Today we have to use an interpreter when we go to India or Russia.
When the apostle Thomas went to India (as tradition suggests), he did not know Telugu, or Hindi, or any other of the dozens of languages and dialects they speak. Thus the need for tongues. If someone in the listening audience, whose language the speaker did not know, were to ask a question or make a comment, the teachers and evangelists would have a need for someone to interpret. Discernment was the miraculous ability to determine whether or not an imposter had infiltrated the local congregation.
Each gift, then, served a particular purpose. Together, the nine gifts would serve to mature a congregation as they grow in the grace and knowledge of God’s word.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Paul likens the church to a body. All the several parts of a physical body work in unison in order to provide for the functioning of the body as a whole. Since the church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:27), each member was expected to use whatever miraculous endowment he had received to help the spiritual body function as it grows unto maturity.
As valuable as those spiritual gifts were, Paul closes chapter twelve with this observation: “But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you” (1 Cor. 12:31). That more excellent way is the way of love.
Chapter thirteen will serve three purposes: (1) it provides a brief discussion on the essentiality of love; (2) it provides a discussion on the essence of love; and (3) it closes with a wonderful discussion on the endurance of love in comparison with the spiritual gifts. Each of these three points begs further consideration, which Lord willing, we will take up in subsequent articles.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have questions or wish to comment, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).