Miracles or Signs?

By Arthur J Licursi

The miracles we note in the account of the gospel accounts were actually “signs.” At Cana wedding feast, where the Lord changed water into wine (John 2:1-11), it is noted that this was “the beginning of miracles (signs).” Here the word “miracles” is the Greek word “semeion,” meaning “indications or signs.” In fact there are several such “signs” given in the Gospel of John. All these physical “signs” were to proclaim and signify that a change in Israel ’s program was “at hand” (Matt 3:2). The change was to come by Jesus’ cross, making it possible for blinded, lame, and deadened Israel to be spiritually regenerated.

The grace of the Lord worked through His chosen “twelve apostles” to Israel to introduce the New Testament hope of “the Kingdom” (Act 3:19-20) with “signs” for “the lost sheep of the house of Israel ” (Matt 15:24). The “twelve” went on in the very early Acts period to offer the kingdom with “signs” (cf. Act 2:22, 2:43, 5:12, and 8:13). “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Cor 1:22).

Then also “Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles,” (Rom 11:13) wrought mighty miracles (Acts 14:3), just as Peter and the Pentecostal Apostles had done. In fact, a comparison of Paul’s miracles with those of Peter shows Paul’s to have been the mightier. This was mainly a divine confirmation of Paul’s unique calling and apostleship “for ye Gentiles” (Eph 3:1). Paul was not one of “the twelve” apostles who had been sent by Jesus specifically and only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel ” (Matt 10:5-6).

Paul wrote, “… in nothing am I (Paul) behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. ¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you (by me, Paul) in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Cor 12:11b-12)

Yet, these signs that continued in Paul’s early ministry, then stopped. It’s clear from a study of Paul’s ministry and his epistles that these miraculous signs were to vanish away as “the dispensation of the grace of God” was fully ushered in (cf.  I Cor. 13:8; Rom. 8:22-23; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:4; 12:10; Phil. 3:20-21; I Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20)

In fact, in the last seven of Paul’s thirteen epistles to “the body of Christ” nothing whatever is said about signs, miracles, healings, tongues, visions or the casting out of demons. Rather, Paul had and affliction for which he besought the Lord for healing; the Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient.” Then also, rather than heal Timothy’s stomach problem, Paul counseled Timothy to “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23)

Well then, how then does God today now empower His servants in their conflict with the Adversary, Satan, and his demons who work to block men from salvation in Christ? The answer is by “the (indwelling) Holy Spirit” and through “His Word” (Titus 1:3) as it is preached with power and conviction. There is great evidence as to this “Holy Spirit” power in Paul’s epistles, including his early epistles. “And my speech and My Preaching was NOT with enticing (persuasive) words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of The Spirit and of Power.” (I Cor. 2:4)

Paul preached the “gospel of the grace of God” by “The Spirit… of Power,” not in performing miracles. “For our (Paul’s grace) gospel came not unto you in word only, but also In Power, and In The Holy Ghost, and in much assurance (confidence)…” (I Thes. 1:5).

In Thessalonica Paul had suffered great opposition and persecution, until the whole city was in an uproar (cf., Acts 17:1-5), and this may well have been the result of his powerful preaching. Out of the “uproar,” however, sprang the Thessalonian church as an example and inspiration that souls may be won to Christ out of any circumstance.

All of this is not to say the Lord can’t still heal our bodies according to His will and mercy, but the age of miracles imparted through men is over (cf., 1Cor 13:8-1). Rather, He is sovereign over all the happenings of our lives and He today asks us to trust that His will and working is unto our eternal benefit (Phil 2:13, Rom 8:28). Paul wrote that the circumstances and situations he suffered were; “(so) that we might NOT trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2Cor 1:9-10). Every situation, no matter how dire, is for our learning to trust Him.