Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti. 09/19/2021
Miracles, Signs and Wonders
The miraculous takes on
different complexions inside various faith systems.
Islam. When confronting Muslims why the so called prophet Mohamed did not walk in the
miraculous, the response is,
“the Koran is a miracle.”
Hinduism: has a rich legacy of miracles mostly associated with thought, revelation, control (of
animals and nature) mind
reading and transference of thoughts.
The magicians of Egypt: Ex. 7-9 were able to reproduce some of the miracles that Yahweh performed through Moses.
A clear distinction in
the Judeo-Christian faith is that miracles are to point us to the glory of God.
When Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, in Jn. 11:40, “Did I not say to you
that if you would believe you would see the glory of God.”
The Church Era has a
distinct legacy of miracles, both past and present. In Roman Catholicism, it is
necessary to document at least two miracles performed by or through the
intersession of a candidate for canonization. This was formalized in the 13th
cen.
In at least one
denominational expression of the Christian faith, it is believed that miracles
were confined to the Apostolic era. This is a form of dispensationalism. With all due respect, the doctrine is aimed
more at the, so called, “miracle workers” than at miracles.
In response to that,
however, today, there are many, well documented miracles, such as healings,
raising the dead, speaking in foreign tongues, predicting future events, and
telling peoples secret actions, that occur through individuals, and/or by the
laying on of hands, as a Scriptural method of transferring power.
We see not Scriptural
case for this form of dispensationalism.
Jn. 14:12, Jesus said,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he
will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My
Father.”
Mat. 18:19, “Again I say
to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it
will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Mk. 16:17,18, “And these
signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they
will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents and if they drink
anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the
sick, and they will recover.”
Jam. 5:17,18, “Elijah
was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not
rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he
prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”
Joe. 2:28, “And it shall
come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…”
So, why
doesn’t this happen in our midst now???
1) Sin...I don’t see a
real case for that, even though I would tend to lean to it.
Acts 10:34, Peter confesses, “God is no respecter of
persons.
God used Samson, Balaam, Jonah; even Saul prophesied
Mat. 7:21-23, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your
name…”
Rev. 19:20, “the false prophet who worked signs...”
2) We already discussed
dispensationalism.
3) Unbelief: Jesus
praised great faith and belief. Mat. 9:28; Mar. 5:35; Mar, 11:24; Mat.
8:10, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel.”
4) We don’t need
miracles: Duet. 6:15, “for the LORD your God who lives among you, is a jealous God.” We have many
options in our culture, to get out of trouble
before we need to pray and ask God.
5) Dramatic effect: I
believe that God will, for a season, withhold the miraculous, and allow
us to strive, only to swoop in at the last minute.
See: Rom. 9:28, “The LORD will make a short work”
II Cor. 1:8-10, “not trust in ourselves but in God.
Mat. 25:5,6, the parable of the ten virgins
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I swear I didn't look at Arthur's Study before our discussion, but I did see that we are going to be discussing miracles and I wanted to recommend Eric Metaxas' book on the subject. I listened to the audiobook this summer and it was a huge encouragement in my walk.
As a reminder, I have attempted to label the posts on the blog by subject matter, to locate topics of interest.
We appreciate your search for encouragement and truth on the path of Christian Discipleship and thank you for your interest in our blog and podcast!
M.T. Clark
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