Miracles
Bible Question: Are there miracles today, or not?
Answer: The meaning of what a " miracle" is should probably first to be defined— so we are all talking about the same
concept! There are two Greeks words used in the New Testament that are translated as " miracles." They both signify
supernatural power:
Strong's #4592
Semeion (say-mi' -on); neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of
NT:4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:
#4591 semaino (say-mah' -ee-no); from sema (a mark;
of uncertain derivation); to indicate. (Eg. John 2:11, 23; 3:2; Rev. 13:14, etc.)
Strong's #1411
dunamis
(doo' -nam-is); from NT:1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a
miracle itself):
#1410 dunamai (doo' -nam-ahee); of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible: (Eg. Acts 2:22; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 29; Heb. 2:4)
PROVIDENCE. Some would understand a " miracle" to be a violation of the laws of nature. But we would understand that all the
forces of nature are under Divine control in ways we cannot understand or fully explain. In this sense of the word, we have
miracles all around us every day. These " miracles" may be providences related to God's people: For example, if God did not
think a certain Christian was ready to finish his earthly walk and still had some lessons to learn and character to
develop— He might providentially or " miraculously" prevent unexplainably the plane not crashing even though there were serious mechanical problems.
INTRODUCTION. But Jesus at his first advent performed miracles to illustrate his power and draw attention to his ministry. Our
Lord's remark, " Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe" (John 4:48) implies that the highest order of faith
would be that which would not require such tangible demonstrations of divine power. While he healed many, Jesus did not
miraculously heal and raise from the dead the many others. But miracles were necessary then and the early infant Church for the introduction of the Gospel message.
PICTURE. Most— if not all— Jesus' miracles were performed on the Sabbath. These miracles were a picture how the
" Lord of the Sabbath" would be raising the dead and healing all the sick in his Kingdom for which we pray. " Thy Kingdom
come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That will be the time when " The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and
the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing. . .And the
ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:5, 6, 10).
GREATER GIFTS. Apostle Paul explained the various " spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:1) and " working of miracles"
(vs. 10) in the early Church would be supplanted by " greater gifts" of the holy spirit, that is, fruits of the spirit as
encapsulated in " Love" (1 Corinthians 13)— :
1 Corinthians 12:28-31; 13:1-2
" And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are
not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not
speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still
more excellent way. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so
as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. . ." (NAS)
So the gifts and miracles in the Early Church were to be supplanted by the more important development of all the fruits of the spirit of Love.
END TIMES. One more consideration on miracles is during these End Times. We are living in a time when apparently in order to
hold his dominion, the great Adversary Satan is going into the healing business. Through spirit mediums and some preachers,
Satan is making a bid for power in the world. Apostle Paul warned that the coming of Jesus would be accompanied by the " work
of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders" (2 Thess. 2:9 NIV) So while much of what might be
passed off as " miracles" today might be deception and fraud— it is also possible that some instances represent fallen angel or demon power.