What About Miracles?

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Introduction: As most of you know, this subject has always brought confusion to both Christians and nonChristians. The belief in present day miracles seems to rise and fall with each generation. When I was young, it was extremely popular as Pentecostal groups became enamored with preachers who claimed to heal thousands in revival meetings. Today, it is more a belief that miracles randomly happen and the word “miracle” is used quite loosely to refer to any event that it would seem couldn’t have happened without God doing a miracle.

1. Differentiating Between Miracles and God Working
   1. Before going further, it is important to note that this lesson is not in any way denying that God is working today in his kingdom and in the lives of his people. Cf. Acts 1:1-2; 11:20-21
   2. What we need to consider is that there is a difference between an instantaneous suspension of natural law and God’s answer to our prayers or God’s providential care for his people. In the book of Esther, not one miraculous event is recorded, no prayers, and not even the name of God ever mentioned. And yet, we see the hand of God in every movement of the book. The strong message is, God is working even when man does not seem to care or know to whom to turn!
   3. Therefore, we must be careful in our definitions. God working, such as in Esther or in Job, is not the same as what was considered a sign or miracle, whether performed by an OT prophet, or a NT apostle, or Jesus. Healing a man who had lame from birth, with spindly shriveled legs, or a paralyzed man, or an invalid for 38 years, or a dead man raised, is a far cry from “it’s a miracle I wasn’t killed in that car crash.” Or a far cry from what “faith healers” claim today. Of course, it may be that God protected you from the crash, it is just not what the NT describes as signs, wonders, and miracles. 
2. The Unique Promises to the Apostles and Prophets
   1. John 14:1-3 sets up the context of Jesus’ promises to the apostles after his departure. The apostles are sad and concerned. Jesus is leaving and they cannot follow (13:36). How are they supposed to carry on without Jesus?
   2. Therefore, we can see why Jesus follows up with the following promises:
      1. John 14:15-18
      2. John 14:25-26
      3. John 15:24-27
      4. John 16:7-15 Note especially the contrast between verses 12 and 13. At present, there are many things that they do not know, that Jesus has not told them. But when the Spirit comes to them, he will guide them “into all the truth.” Now they have a partial revelation, when the Spirit comes they will have it all. 
   3. Paul later confirms this in Ephesians 3:3-5. Notice that the revelation was not made known to people in general, but to the apostles are prophets by the Spirit.
   4. Jude 3 confirms this as well: “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” 
   5. Hebrews 2:1-4 explains the reason for miracles during this time of the complete revelation of the word. As Jesus stated in John 15:26-27, the apostles would bear witness of what they had seen, but the Spirit would also bear witness, imply both his revelation through them and the Spirit’s miracles to confirm those words.
   6. First conclusion: miracles were given to confirm the revelation of the NT “mystery.” Once that revelation was complete, there was no more purpose for the miracles. If we had miracles today, what would the miracles be confirming? There is no more revelation.
3. Use of the Gifts within the Churches
   1. Acts 8:12-19 Key points:
      1. Philip had been given his gifts of miracles and prophecy from the apostles (Acts 6:6), along with Stephen and the rest of the “seven.” Up to that point, only the apostles were able to perform miracles.
      2. Notice specifically verse 18 that Simon recognizes that the Spirit was given “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands.” From this point on, we see that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were given only by the laying on of the apostles hands:
         1. Acts 19:1-6
         2. Romans 1:11
         3. 2 Timothy 1:6
      3. Some suggest that 1 Timothy 4:14 is an example of elders passing on these gifts. But note that Timothy’s gift had been “given by prophecy” (it was revealed by prophecy the gift he was to receive), and accompanying the receipt of that gift was a group of elders laying hands on him (to set him apart for the work prophesied for him to do (1:18; Cf. Acts 13:1-3).
   2. Therefore, the second conclusion we should draw is, once the last apostle died, spiritual gifts would no longer be passed on. But, of course, by that time the revelation of the word was complete and thus the gifts were no longer needed.
   3. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
      1. Context: the Corinthians are exalting themselves with their use of the gifts. They do not understand that the gifts were to be used in a complimentary way just as members of our body. The gifts were important to edify and build up the church, were all given by the same Spirit to bring oneness in the body, but not for pride. Therefore, if they did not act in love toward one another, it would matter if they had all the greatest gifts ever given; they would be nothing.
      2. Therefore, the main point of verses 8-13, is that you are putting so much emphasis on the gifts, and yet these gifts are only temporary; they were never intended to be a permanent part of the the church or the Lord’s work.
      3. Notice first verse 8 and verse 13. There are things that  are temporary, that will “pass away,” and there are things that will “abide” (continue, remain). The gifts were temporary. Faith, hope, and love would remain long after the gifts had ceased.
      4. Now notice verses 9-10. Here is the contrast between what is temporary and what will remain. When will the “partial” pass away? When the “perfect” comes. People struggle with knowing what the “perfect” is, but if we can identify the “partial,” we will know what the perfect is. The partial is clearly knowledge or the revelation of knowledge from God: “we know in part and we prophesy in part.” Thus, the “perfect” refers to complete knowledge or revelation. “Now we know in part, then we will know completely. And when we know completely, there will be no more need for the partial, the gifts. 
      5. Verse 11 compares the gifts to the childish ways of childhood. Once becoming an adult, the childish ways (the gifts) are given up in favor of what is better or mature. Thus, the gifts in the church were things used in the infancy of the church, but given up once it was no longer needed.
      6. Verse 12 compares a mirror of the 1st century, which would be a dim reflection from polished metal, to seeing something face to face. At the present, their knowledge was incomplete and therefore they had a fuzzy picture of all that God wanted them to know. But soon they would see clearly, face to face, and know God’s will just as Paul had been fully known by God.
      7. Verse 13 concludes with what will remain after the gifts are gone. This offers proof that the “perfect” is not the second coming of Christ. If so, faith would last into heaven (not so, Heb. 11:1), and hope would last into heaven (no so, Rom. 8:24-25).
   4. Third conclusion: God has clearly stated that the gifts would not last through our time here on earth. They were temporary until all the NT had been revealed. Therefore, it is not necessary for us to continually need a miracle worker to confirm a new revelation. The revelation has been completed. This is a better system than theirs! (Cf. Rom. 1:11 where Paul wanted to travel to Rome to give them gifts to strengthen them).
4. Final Observations and Conclusions
   1. Second century writers and beyond speak of spiritual gifts in the past, not as a present reality.
   2. Supposed miracles today do not convince anyone who is an unbeliever. Only those who are in their religion and already want to believe in miracles are convinced. In the first century, not only were unbelievers convinced to become believers, but even those who rejected the message preached, still believed the miracle happened! (John 11:47).

Berry Kercheville