MIRACLES SIGNS AND WONDERS The Revelation of God

MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS The Revelation of God In Miracles

What Is Miracle ? 1. Miracle is the instant act or intervention by divine authority which permanently alters the laws of nature to confirm the revealed will of God. 2. A Genuine miraculous encounter is not predetermined by individual’s inclination(1 Pet. 1: 20 -21). 3. Inspired men of God administered miracles to establish the biblical truth (Hebr. 2: 3 -4) 4. Evil spirits seduce with counterfeit miracles they wrought by the power of Satan(1 Tim. 4: 1 -3) 5. Throughout the salvation history, God manifested His presence and power over nature in true and genuine miracles.

Con. 1. God’s words for salvation of mankind came through inspiration (Job 32: 8). 2. Inspiration is the ways and means by which the spirit of God interacted with humans faculties to make the words of life and godliness available to mankind(2 Tim. 3: 16). 3. Divine inspiration lasted until the demise of John, the apostle, at the close of the first century of the church. .

Cont. 4. The words of life in Christ were inspired through the agency of holy men(prophets and apostles (Eph. 2: 20). 5. The miracles, signs, wonders and divers spiritual gifts were given as sign for apostleship and God’s own testimony of involvement (2 Cor. 12: 12). 6. It will be inaccurate to consider the general works of creation as miraculous encounter. 7. Miracles, signs and wonders were special events God engaged in connection with the work of salvation and inspiration.

Some Examples of Wonders were series of warning judgments intended to confound unbeliever to repent (Exo. 4: 21). The plagues in Egypt were miracles(Exo. 4 -12). a. The opening of the Red Sea and Jordan were miracles (Exo. 14 -15 ; Psa. 77: 13 -14). b. The manna from heaven and water from the rock were miracles(Exo. 16 -17; 1 Cor. 10: 1 -6). c. In the Gospels and Acts numerous miracles ; spiritually, physically and materially in the ministry of Jesus and His Apostles are recorded (Matt. 8; Acts 3 -4 etc ).

Some Examples of Spurious or Counterfeit Miracles a. The miracles of the magicians of Egypt were Satanic counterfeits (Exo. 7: 11 -12, 22; 8: 7). b. The Antichrist (Christ opposing) spirits will perform miracles to deceive the people of the earth(Matt. 24: 24; 2 Thes. 2: 9; Rev. 13: 13 -14; 19: 20, Acts 8: 9 -11). c. The purpose of counterfeit miracles is to deceive and turn people away from God (1 Tim. 4: 1 -3). d. Prayer and fasting are not the sources of power for performance of miracles, signs and wonders.

The Divine Intention for Miracle 1. Miracles, signs and wonders followed only the holy men of God guided in searching for the things concerning salvation in Christ in the later days (2 Pet. 1: 10 -12). 2. What further words do proponents have to confirm that merit miracles, signs and wonders should follow in these last days(2 Pet. 1: 3, 3). 3. Where are the evidence of their divine attestation or scriptural religious experience (Gal. 1: 6 -9)?

Biblical Evidence of Genuine Miracles Biblical miracles were unique and intended for 1. Instantly restoring of Life back to the Dead (Acts 9: 40; 20: 9). 2. Instantly Restoring perfect health back to the Sick (Acts 5: 15). 3. Instantly and permanently muting spirits of divination (Acts 16: 18). 4. Instantly striking deceptive sorcerer with permanent blindness as defense for truth (Acts. 13: 11). 5. Instantly calling for bread from heaven to feed multitude hungered (Mk 8: 8).

Miracles and the Preaching of the Kingdom 1. The early preachers of Christ and the kingdom of God in the days of Jesus were workers of miracles because Jesus promised them with the Spirit (Mk. 16: 14 -20). 2. Miracles, signs and wonders followed them to indicate the hands and presence of God’s Kingdom (Mt. 12: 28 -29). 3. Jesus specially gave them power over Satan’s kingdom and, to work miracles (Luke 10: 17 -20).

Summary Brief Explanations to some key terms in the Lesson: Only what the Bible refers to as miracles, signs and wonders should be considered as such. One’s own private interpretation of an event as miracle , signs or wonders cannot speak for the scripture(2 Pet. 1: 20 -21).

Cont. Distinctive Differences: miracles , signs and wonders Miracles: Works which altered the laws of nature to confound people to believe and usually improved human conditions. Signs: Works which served as symbols to predict the fulfillment of prophetic promises. Wonders: Works which inspired terror, and inflicted divine judgment on sinners or oppressors of God’s people.

• Divine miracles, signs and wonders done through the inspired apostles was time bound to the close of the New Testament revelations and the inspiration of the Bible(Heb. 2: 3 -4).

Cont. 1. The biblically inspired apostolic miracles, signs and wonders no longer exist to be manifested this time (1 Cor. 13: 8 -10). 2. The miracles , signs and wonders are signs of apostles(2 Cor. 12: 12). 3. All things intended to be provided through miracles, signs and wonders for Christian living and godliness have been distinctly and completely fulfilled in the Bible(1 Pet. 1: 1012; 2 Pet. 1: 3, 1: 10 -12, 1 Peter 4: 11). 4. What is claimed to be miracles , signs or wonders today is really foreign to the inspired scriptures. 5. The NT fore-warns against possible continuation of miracles, signs and wonders by imposters : false Christ , false apostles , false prophets and teachers (Matt. 24: 2425; 2 Thes. 2: 9).

PRAYERFUL LIVING, WHAT REMAINS FOREVER • Operation of Spiritual gifts and Prayer life of Christians are two separate entities. • Unlike operations: (miracles, signs or wonders) the saints unceasing prayer life with its regular answering of requests are endless relationship with God. • Prayers of saints are granted without the need for someone to perform any counterfeit or unscriptural miracles, signs or wonders. • The Holy Spirit now assumes intercessional roles to believers’ prayer efforts (Rom. 8: 26 -27).