C A R L B. G A R N E R

MIRACLES

It is well documented in the New Testament that Jesus and His apostles performed many "signs and wonders." Similar mighty works are found in Old Testament times also. In addition to others, Moses convinced Pharaoh of Jehovah's authority over him and defeated his army, and also parted the waters of the Red Sea. Jesus is recorded as performing over thirty miracles in His three years of preaching, and John records, ³....many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name,² John 20:30-31.

When Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission, He promised that some would possess certain gifts. Mark, writing about thirty years later, said that those signs did accompany them, and they ³went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following,² Mark 16:15-20. Our intent here is to discover the purpose of the gifts, and their results.

WHY MIRACLES?
It is not hard to see why miracles and signs were needed at that time. The controversy over Jesus' deity and His crucifixion placed doubt in the minds of many. While many witnessed His resurrection, the disciples' claims needed a means of confirmation before men could truly possess faith in Christ. Until the scriptures were complete, those signs and wonders served the purpose of "confirming" the truth of what they were preaching. Of course, when "that which is perfect" came [the complete revelation of God's will] the miracles were no longer needed, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Just as the scaffolding and concrete forms are removed from newly constructed buildings, miraculous gifts eventually ceased. Now we are "throughly furnished unto every good work" through the scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

MAIN PURPOSE OF MIRACLES
As stated previously, their main purpose was to establish the truth of that which was preached by inspired men. Since men seek proof for that which they hear, it was and is natural and reasonable for truth to be established, tried and tested. The Bible had not been completed in those early years following the church's establishment. Therefore, they could not, as we can, determine the credibility of claims and doctrine that were proposed. Just as Jesus proved His authority to forgive sins by His healing of the lame man, Mark 2:10-12, others did the same to establish the truth of what they preached, "confirming their word with signs following."

OTHER RESULTS OF MIRACLES
The fact that the main purpose of signs and mighty works was to confirm the word of faithful preachers did not preclude their accomplishing other ends.
1. Revealed the mind/will of God
God's truth was taught by faithful men and women in the first century. Truth did not come forth from their own minds; it was revealed to them by means of inspiration, prophecy, etc. In 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 we read, "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
Inspired revelation came to man by way of the Holy Spirit, not man's wisdom. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God," 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Prophets spoke from God, not from their own resources, 2 Peter 1:20-21. They spoke "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
2. Protected the early church from false teachers Knowing the truth will keep us from being deceived by men who teach the doctrines of men. Until the truth was fully revealed, some were capable of "discerning... spirits," and separating truth from error, 1 Corinthians 12:10. Early Christians were also able to "search the scriptures daily" and separate the true from the false, Acts 17:11.
3. Christians able to grow We read in 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." The Word of God is the nourishment by which all Christians grow "in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," 2 Peter 3:18. When we fail to grow we are susceptible to the doctrines of men, and being "carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness," Ephesians 4:14. With these gifts men were able to teach God's truth, and Christians were able to grow as they should. That same truth, found in the Bible today, is our source for growth. We need to use our gift, the scriptures, to take the Gospel to the lost!