| 1. | act of God: an event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God |
Not all miracles is an act of God. Because Satan, the arch enemy has powers as a fallen angel to do miracles and will use it as a means to deceive so many, even the very elect is his target to destroy through miracles. All the fallen angels under Satan has that power to do miracles. So, we must be careful to believe all miracles as God's doing because even the very miracles done by God could be counterfeited by Satan like healing, like protection against poisons, fire from heaven, and many wonderful works and signs that is meant to deceive.
There are so many natural occurrences that may appear as miracle and is amazing but is not a miracle because it falls to the meaning that it is natural such as prayer. Prayer is a request to ask God to do things and when God answers even it is miraculous way it may seem, is natural to God, that if we ask, He may answer positively, or may say No, and give a better thing than what you requested for. It is a natural thing for God.
Therefore all miracle has a definite purpose and objective and it is not in our power to do that as we please. Before the Bible was finished, miracle is their means to certify that what they teach is from God. That is the sign that follows preaching.
Miracles to confirm the Word. John 3:2; Mark 16:17-20; Heb. 2:4.
Devil a miracle worker. Exodus Chap 7-8; Rev. 13:13-14; 16:14; Matt 24:11, 24
Devil has attractive preachers. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:1
Devil is attractive. Eze. 28:11-19
NOT BELIEVE IN MIRACLES TODAY?
Lesson Text: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
Devotional Reading-Subject: A Palsied Man Healed, Mark 2:1-12.
AIM: That the pupil may understand the purpose of New Testament miracles.
HOMEREADINGS
Jesus’ First Miracle, John 2:1-11.
Jesus’ Second Miracle, John 4:46-54.
Peter’s Mother-in-law, Matt. 8:14-18.
Jesus Stills Storm, Mark 4:35-41.
Multiplied Bread and Fish, John 6:1-14.
Raising of Lazarus, John 11:38-44.
1. Because of the Definition of Miracles.
What constitutes a genuine miracle? People think of anything from a surprising event to an unexplainable event as a miracle. Nearly everyone uses the word “miracle.” Nearly everything has been called a miracle at one time or another. For example, the birth of a child and the new birth are often called miracles.
However, that which many consider to be a miracle is not a miracle at all. God has set certain laws into motion, which humans usually call the laws of nature. There are many surprising and mysterious matters involved in them, but they are usual operation of God’s laws. Since the birth of a child is the natural result of God’s laws, which have been in operation since the days of Adam and Eve, one cannot really call it a miracle. However, when Jesus Christ was born to Mary without his having a earthly father, God had set aside His natural law (Matt. 1:18, 25). That was a miracle.
The new birth is the natural result of one who repents toward God and trust in Christ (Luke 13:3; 1 John 5:1). That process has also been in operation since the days of Adam and Eve. Admittedly, there are miracles related to Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. However, the new birth is not a miracle in itself. Now if one could be saved by baptism or some other work, that would be a miracle. It would set aside God’s law of the new birth.
A miracle is an unusual demonstration of supernatural power which set aside natural laws. Common events should never be called miracles in the Bible sense of the word. In view of this, one can easily discount much of what people call miracle today.
For Discussion. What is the most ordinary matter you have heard called miracle?
2. Because of the Purpose of Miracles.
Listening to supporters of miracles today, one gets the idea of the main purpose of miracles is to relieve suffering or like.
Satan’s purpose in miracles is to deceive. He wants people to follow him rather than God, so he employs miracles to convince people to follow him. Admittedly, this will be true in the Tribulation Period.” And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live” (Rev. 13:14). Such use of miracles will not be anything new for Satan (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
God’s purpose in miracles has always been holy and noble. Christ clearly declares His purpose in miracles. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)” (Mark 2:10). When John the Baptist asked for proof as to Christ’s true identity, the Lord used His miracles as proof (Matt. 11:1-5). The raising of Lazarus was clearly for the purpose of underscoring the Lord’s identity and His power to save (John 11:41, 42). Many Jews believed because of His miracles (John 11:45).
One should conclude from this miracle of the New Testament were primarily for the benefit of unbelievers. They were the ones who needed proof Christ is Lord with the power to save. In fact, the healing of believers was rare. Paul prayed to “the Lord thrice” that He would heal him (2 Cor. 12:7-10). The Lord did not heal him. Does that mean Paul had no faith Paul prescribed what amounted to a medical remedy for Timothy’s stomach ailment (1 Tim. 5:23). Does that mean Timothy had no faith? Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletum (2 Tim. 4:20). These indicates miracles were mainly for the purpose of convincing sinners of the message of Christ, not merely t relieve suffering.
3. Because Miracles Are Not Performed Today.
To make such statement as heads this part may be considered blasphemous by some. It would be blasphemousto challenge the miracles of God as recorded in His Word, but to challenge the testimony of men today is another matter altogether. They are the blasphemers, because they equate their testimony and experience with the every Word of God.
Admittedly, it is possible for Satan to empower some to perform miracles. He has done it in the past. Read abut the Egyptian magicians (Ex. 7:11). Their power was certainly not of God. The preceding part presented the possibility Satan Tribulation Period (2 Cor. 11:13-15); 2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13). So that is certainly a possibility.
On the other hand, it is evident many who claim to perform miracles cannot. For example, consider how Christ empowered His apostle to perform miracles. “Heal sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). How many miracle unseen ailments, which no one can substantiate ever existed. Consequently no one can really prove the miracle. Also, the Lord said certain signs would follow (Mark 16:17, 18). How many miracles workers can shake off a poisonous viper with no ill effect?
If there are people with power to heal the sick, why don’t they heal those who genuinely have serious, visible ailments? Why don’t they go to cemeteries and raise the dead? Why don’t they go to leper colonies and cleans lepers? They don’t have the power they claim to have.
4. Because Miracles Were Not To Continue.
God gave some gifts which were not to continue. The churches of the first century needed those gifts until the completion of the Bible. Paul mentioned the temporary nature of some gifts (1 Cor. 13:10). In fact, he declared only three gifts would continue of those previously mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13). That certainly leaves miraces in the first century.
Some Bible students see a passage in Micah as some help here. “According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things” (Micah 7:15). It is taken as a prediction of how long miracles were to continue. Since the took Israel forty years to come out of Egypt to go into Canaan, God would manifest miracles for forty years. If one adds forty years to the beginning of Christ’s miracles (John 2:11), the only living person at that time with power to perform miracles was probably the Apostle John. Therefore, the gifts of miracles would cease with his death and the completion of the Bible, of which he wrote the final Book.
Those who seek to continue the gift of miracles ignore Paul’s revelation of “a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31). They seek to return churches to the days of infancy, when they should be trying t establish them in spiritual maturity (1 Cor. 13:11).
