BIBLICAL MIRACLES
A miracle is a divine operation that transcends what is normally perceived as natural law; it cannot be explained upon any natural basis.
The miracles recorded in the Bible can be classified in several categories. The following examples are a few of God's wonderful works, that we should praise Him for.
1) Supernatural acts of creation, including the heavenly host, animals, fish, plants, and creation of the body of mankind. God created the world out of that which was invisible. (Heb. 11:3); He spoke, and it was done. (Psa. 33:9). (Gen. 2:1-2) In our day, God still replaces missing limbs, and other creative acts of this sort.
2) We see miracles involving a the suspending of natural laws, such as Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mt. 8:23-27), Or the Lord walking on the water and appearing to His disciples in the midst of a storm; saying: Be not afraid, it is I. (Jn. 6:16-21). Miracles of this sort, which suspend the laws of nature still today, as God's people command hurricanes to turn, storms to cease, fire to go out, for this happens through using the authority God has given His people to act in Jesus Christ's name.
3) There were signs involving physical healing from diseases. The blind were made to see (Jn. 9:1-7), deaf heard, (Mk. 7:32) and the lame to walk (Acts 3:1-10). These healings occur today through the power or authority of, and in the name of Jesus Christ.
4) Signs demonstrating God's power over death. Jesus says: I hold the keys of death and hell. He demonstrated power over death while on earth, as well as now from heaven. While on earth, we see the case of Lazarus, having been dead four days, but was raised (Jn. 11:43-44) The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a tremendous miracle which is the very foundation of the Christian foundation. (1 Cor. 15:16-19)
5) In the New Testament we see miracles happening with the casting out of demons that had invaded the human body of individuals, and when expelled, the person was sane, or their body whole. Matt. 12:22ff). This is evidence of Jesus dominion over Satans power. Persons oppressed by evil spirits can be set totally free today, and kept free through faith in the mighty name of Jesus.
6) Miracles happened in scripture such as the manipulation of material substances. Jesus Christ turned water into wine (Jn. 2:1-11), He multiplied a boys lunch of loaves and fishes, and thousands were fed (Jn. 6:1-14) 7) Miraculous power demonstrated over the plant and animal kingdoms. Balaam’s donkey spoke with a man’s voice (Num. 22:28), and the Lord Jesus, in an object lesson relative to the impending destruction of Jerusalem, curses a barren fig tree with the power of His word. (Mt. 21:19)
Characteristics of a genuine miracle What are the traits of a genuine miracle, as opposed to feigned signs? Consider the following facts. We don't debate the occurance of miracles here. Miracles are real and they happen today. Jesus enemies envied the fact that they could not duplicate His miracles. So they sought to attribute His miraculous power to another source (e.g., Beelzbub Mt.12:24). Jewish leaders knew that Peter and John performed a notable miracle, in the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. They tried to minimize the effects of this on the apostles and upon the community through intimidation and threats of violence (Acts 4:14)
Where miracles are being done in Jesus Christ's name today, don't be surprised to see corresponding persecution.
In 2 Corinthians 12:12, we read:
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Acts 8:18 tells us that it was ..."through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given..." The Holy Spirit also simply "fell upon people as they prayed to receive this gift."
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.(Acts 10:44) God's Holy Spirit "fell upon them" in the same way that it initially came at Pentecost, to the 120 waiting in the upper room in Jerusalem, for the promise of the Father, that Jesus said they would receive. (Kuke 24:49, Acts2:1-4)
Acts 11:15-18 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them [Acts Ch. 10], as upon us [the apostles] at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."
We read in Acts 2:43 the result that miracles had upon those living in New Testament times.
"Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles." This is why God wants the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ preached, not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power!" (1 Cor. 2:4)
In Acts 2:17f, the Apostle Peter testifies that in the last days, God will indeed pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh, and supernatural signs and wonders will occur. Some of these signs will include dreams, visions and prophecies by the Spirit of the Lord.
The apostles of the New testament preached the gospel everywhere, with these "signs and wonders" accompanying the preaching of the word of God. "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them [the apostles] and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Amen. (Mark 16:20)
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:2-4)
God used men mightily, even those with seemingly mundane jobs. Stephen waited tables. Yet it was observed that he was: "A man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." (KJV) (Acts 6:5,6)
Miracles performed by the hands of the seventy Lu 10:17-20
By other disciples Mr 9:39 Joh 14:12
By the apostles Ac 3:6,12,13,16 4:10,30 9:34,35 16:18
Peter Cures the sick Ac 5:15,16
Heals Aeneas Ac 9:34
Raises Dorcas from the dead Ac 9:40
The miraculous judgment on Ananias and Sapphira for sin Ac 5:5,10
Peter and John cure a lame man Ac 3:2-11
Peter and other apostles were delivered from prison Ac 5:19-23 12:6-11 16:26
Philip is transported by the Spirit of the Lord to a city 200 miles away. Ac 8:39
Paul Strikes Elymas (Bar-Jesus) with blindness Ac 13:11
Heals a cripple Ac 14:10
Casts out evil spirits, and cures sick people Ac 16:18 19:11,12 28:8,9
Raises Eutychus to life Ac 20:9-12
Shakes a viper off his hand into the fire and is unharmed. This is a supernatural sign to the islanders. Ac 28:5
Paul cured of blindness Ac 9:3-6,17,18
Of various kinds 1Co 12:4-6
Enumerated on 1Co 12:8-10,28
Christ was endued with Mt 12:28
Miracles poured forth on the day of Pentecost in thirty A. D Ac 2:1-4
Accompanying the preaching of the gospel Ac 10:44-46
Through the laying on of the apostles' hands Ac 8:17,18 19:6
For the "confirmation" of the gospel Mr 16:20 Ac 14:3 Ro 15:19 Heb 2:4
For the edification of the assembly 1Co 12:7 14:12,13
The supernatural gifts are to be sought after, but above all, God's supernatural love called "agape." 1Co 12:31 14:1
Supernatural gifts are temporary in nature 1Co 13:8
They are to be stirred up in believers lives, and utilized, not lying dormant. 1Ti 4:14 2Ti 1:6
Do not despise the supernatural 1Th 5:20
You cannot purchase the supernatural acts of God Acts 8:20
Angel prophesies to the Virgin Mary that she shall conceive Jesus the Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:26-35)
The face of the angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a fiery burning bush which was not consummed. (Acts 7:30-35)
An angel is used to give direction to contact the Apostle Peter, regarding salvation. (Acts 10:22
The angel of the Lord frees Peter from prison, when Peter prayed. (Acts 12:7-11
The angel of the Lord warns Paul of an impending shipwreck. (Acts 27:23)
