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Have Miracles Ceased?
“Sorry, but who are you to said that miraculous
of the Church has ceased ????? You know that God is healing today ???”
~ Juan Farrugia
The first dictionary definition of the word “miracle” is:
“an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.”
A corresponding Greek definition for miracle is: “a deed manifesting great
power, with the implication of some supernatural force - ‘mighty deed,
miracle.’” The second dictionary definition of the word miracle is: “an
extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.”
The failure to distinguish between these two circumstances, itself, is
a great source of confusion regarding the subject of miracles. The
first involves an obvious, supernatural interference with what mankind
knows to be possible according to natural law. The second incident
does not require supernatural suspension of natural law, only that a given
circumstance be uncommon or awe-inspiring. Respecting the second definition,
then, people commonly refer to the birth of a baby as a “miracle” because
it is awe-inspiring—though it is neither a supernatural event nor uncommon.
Also, the word “miracle” is sometimes applied to survivors of some catastrophic
event (though others present, too, may not have survived); yet, their survival
no more required divine intervention via miracle than would God’s miraculous
intervention be required for anyone to fall victim to any (and every) accident.
A biblical miracle involved: (1) ACTIVITY which cannot
be attributed to human agency and the outcome of the cause and effect of
natural law; (2) often INSTANTANEOUS RESULTS; (3) usually COMPLETE or perfect
fulfillment of the activity; (4) universally OBVIOUS activity that cannot
be ascribed to human activity or natural law; and (5) activity that suited
a DIVINE PURPOSE. Bible miracles are easy to distinguish from even
contemporary activities dubbed as miracles today. What passes for
miracles today fails to demonstrate activity inconsistent with natural
law, often does not involved instantaneous results, is frequently incomplete
(a sad accusation, especially regarding healing, to render against God),
are not universally obvious (as in the case of healing hidden or internal
diseases) and more nearly represent carnal rather than divine purposes.
The real question is not does God heal today; it is does
God heal today through NATURAL or SUPERNATURAL means? The question
is not does God have the power to circumvent natural law with biblical
miracles, but has God limited miracles to a time already past and for purposes
already achieved? The Bible, especially the New Testament, answers
these questions and mankind is obligated to apprise himself of this information.
First, the PURPOSE of New Testament miracles is indicated
in Mark 16:20. Jesus listed in verse 18 some miracles that his first-century
disciples would perform. After our Lord’s Ascension is recorded in
verse 19, the holy narrative says of these miracles in verse 20:
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word with signs following.” The purpose of miracles
was to CONFIRM new revelation—the Gospel. The miracle that Jesus
did CONFIRMED him to be the Messiah. “And 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” (John 20:30-31). Biblical miracles CONFIRMED both new revelation
and the ones (including Jesus) who delivered that new revelation.
Especially Christians in Corinth were as confused concerning
the purpose of miracles as professed miracle workers today. The apostle
Paul devoted 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 to correcting the misconception
regarding miracles entertained by the church in Corinth about 2,000 years
ago. Corinthian Christians were using miracles for show and not to
deliver or confirm new revelation. Paul strongly directed these misguided
souls to seek EDIFICATION or understanding of God’s will for man rather
than to imagine that miracles were somehow an end or purpose of themselves.
It is clear from the New Testament that miracles succeeded
in accomplishing the purpose for which they were given to the early church.
The purpose of miracles and that they were in the process of accomplishing
their divinely given purpose is evident from Hebrews 2:3-4. “How
shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began
to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard
him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with
divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
Most people who profess Christianity today would acknowledge
that God’s giving of new revelation (we call it the Gospel or the New Testament)
is complete. Most people today are not expecting God to give any
more new revelation, and rightly so. It is not the case that God
plans to add chapters to the Bible. The Bible is sufficient for the
purpose for which God gave it to mankind. Nothing else is needed;
nothing else is coming. “According as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge
of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
Therefore, miracles (the purpose of which was to deliver
new revelation, confirm new revelation and authenticate the presenters
of new revelation) are no longer necessary. Therefore, biblical miracles
are not now occurring. That miracles would cease was expected since
it was foretold in the New Testament. The center chapter of the apostle
Paul’s three chapter discourse on miracles in 1 Corinthians notes the superiority
of love over miracles. One of the reasons for the superiority of
love over miracles pertains to the temporary nature of miracles versus
the permanent nature of love.
Miraculous prophecies, tongues and knowledge were to cease
(1 Corinthians 13:8). These miracles also produced imperfect or incomplete
knowledge of God’s will. “For we know in part, and we prophesy in
part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). This imperfect knowledge, acquired through
the use of miracles, is in this context contrasted with a superior, complete
or perfect knowledge in verse 10. “But when that which is perfect
is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” Verses 12
and 13 portray contrasts between inferior and superior circumstances.
These illustrations depict the inferiority of miracles (through which piecemeal
revelation was received in the first century) with the perfect counterpart—the
completed revelation—the New Testament.
The Corinthian Christians were foolish to revel in the
fanfare of miracles and ignore the purpose for which miracles were given.
They were unwise to cherish miracles to the ignoring of the revelation
that the miracles were designed to deliver and confirm. It was hopeless
for the Corinthians to harbor such passion for miracles when they were
merely temporary tools toward the accomplishment of a certain purpose—the
delivering of the Gospel. Contemporary souls are equally ill advised
to manifest the same error toward miracles practiced by the Corinthians
2,000 years ago.
From biblical evidence, one can only conclude that true,
biblical miracles are not now occurring. To announce anything else
is essentially to argue with God, who through the apostle Paul, foretold
that miracles would end when they served their purpose.
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