Confirmed by Miracles?

 

Some people use the term to describe the unexpected rather than how the Bible describes a miracle. My dictionary says a miracle is “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” While it adds “improbable events or amazing achievements”, that first definition is the biblical one.

Jesus did miracles to affirm that He was the Word of God made flesh. He said:

“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again, they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. (John 10:37–39)

They didn’t want that to be true, but Nicodemus did. He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2)

Later on, the disciples also affirmed that Jesus was God at work. Peter said on the day of Pentecost:

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22–24)

Miracles, signs and wonders may happen, or life can be ordinary, but His resurrection definitely affirms that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and what He says is true. Paul wrote, “We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.” (1 Corinthians 15:15) Even so, the Bible says, miracles or not . . .  

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  . . . But they have not all obeyed the gospel . . . Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:13–17)

Miracles and hearing about Him do not guarantee that all will believe. Those who saw Him at work did not believe. Many who hear about Him do not believe. The NT adds more affirmation in this warning:

How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:3–4)

These “gifts of the Holy Spirit” refer to events such as healing illnesses, casting out demons, speaking in tongues, even raising the dead. While MacArthur believes some were “temporary sign gifts” God still performs such things to bring people to their knees before Him. Certainly, the more usual gifts given to believers, such as words of wisdom, faith, discernment, service, leadership and compassion, are vital in edifying the church. When properly used, these gifts affirm the truth about Jesus.

Still, miracles, signs, wonders, and Christlike giftedness do not guarantee that those who see them will give their lives to Christ. Sin blinds. Humanity rationalizes even blatant miracles and manipulates truth rather than accept that Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again. Because of that, isn’t the greatest miracle of all that God gives faith to sinners? He says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:11–12) Yet millions believe in Jesus and will die rather than reject Him.

PRAY: Without Your Word, Jesus, I would not have daily affirmations and the blessings You give through the wonder of knowing You. I’m so thankful for the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and for Your Word that affirms to me what I need to know — about myself — but mostly about You. Surely, You are God and all that I need.

PONDER: Acts 5–19 and all the miracles that happened to affirm the gospel. Be thankful that God is the same God today. He is bringing thousands to Jesus through amazing events, even dreams and visions and affirming their faith in such amazing ways that that severe persecution cannot turn them away. Pray for the persecuted church!