Three NT words are
used of miracles. 1)Dunamis: Greek for
"power" usually translated "miracle" refers to their
powerful nature. 2)Teras: Greek for "wonder" refers to the normal
reaction to miracles. 3)Semeion: Greek
for "sign" refers to the purpose for miracles. They were signs, giving validity to God's men
and His message through them. A study of
the following passages will bear this out, that miracles were not for the
primary purpose of healing or helping mankind but rather were to authenticate
God's message and messenger (Ex.4:1-9; 1Ki. 18:22-24; 2Ki. 2:11-15; Mt.9:1-8;
11:1-6; Lk.7:20-22; Jn.3:2; 5:18-21,36; 10:24f,37f; 14:11; Heb.2:3-4). To-day we do not look for men with God's
message to perform miracles. Rather,
since we have the finished Word of God, the Bible, we evaluate their message by
that Book!
Let’s consider some
critical issues concerning miracles in the Scriptures.
1)
Miracles alone prove nothing. Jesus said this about the coming judgment. Matt. 7:22-23: Many will say to me on that
day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out
demons and perform many miracles?' Then
I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
2)
Further, the next anticipated miracle worker, according
to Scripture, is the Antichrist. 2 Thess.
2:9: The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of
Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in
every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because
they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will
believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the
truth but have delight-ed in wickedness.
Note that the three words for miracles are all used in this passage.
3)
Miracles are not the essential aid to people becoming
Christians. Miracles are signs that you
should listen to the proclaimer of God’s word, but the miracle does not
save. Without the Holy Spirit’s work of
reproof, the miracle will not convince the person to listen. Jesus made this clear in the parable of the
rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:27-31). The
rich man, in hades, pled with Abraham to send someone from hades to warn his
brothers. This was Abraham’s answer, as
given by Jesus in the story: 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,
they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'
4)
Rather, the "gospel" is the power for
salvation. Rom.1:16-17: For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the
gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith
from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by
faith."
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