7. Miracles by Carol Balizet

 Table of Contents

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Miracles

by Carol Balizet

Miracles are defined as: "Supernatural manifestations of divine power in the external world, and in themselves special revelations of the presence and power of God". The Bible is full of these astonishing phenomena, which are also called powers, signs, wonders and mighty works.

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Miracles are defined as: "Supernatural; manifestations of divine power in the external world, and in themselves special revelations of the presence and power of God" in Unger's Bible Dictionary; and as "An; event that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a divine or supernatural cause" in Random House Dictionary. The Bible is full of these astonishing phenomena, which are also called powers, signs, wonders and mighty works. Church history continues to confirm that God occasionally elects to move beyond the normal, expected realm; He moves into a higher realm and uses inexplicable methods, sometimes through the agency of man, sometimes independent of any human instrument.
According to Scripture, the purposes of miracles include:

• To produce astonishment in the observers and thereby convert them to truth
• To point to something beyond a customary, human understanding of cause and effect
• To confirm the position or state of the one who works the miracle, for signs and wonders shall follow those who believe
• To demonstrate and establish the superiority of our God over any other god

The working of miracles is a gift of the Holy Spirit, operative in the Old Covenant, imparted to the disciples at Pentecost, and still available to the Church today. From the time of Moses through the proclamations in Mark 16, the working of miracles is demonstrably a part of God's plan for His people. But it's essential that we realize that the ability to manipulate the natural world in an extraordinary way is not:

• Limited to God's people
• Proof of the sanctity of the miracle worker
• An evidence that what he says is true

In the Bible there are many cases where ungodly agents were used by the powers of darkness to work supernaturally. Some examples are:

• The Egyptian magicians. (Exodus 7 and 8)
• Elymas the sorcerer. (Acts 13:6-12)
• Simon Magus. (Acts 8:9-24)
• Antichrist. (II Thessalonians 2:8,9)

This latter agent is not merely ungodly, he is the one "...; whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders..." (2 Thessalonians 2:9). It's very dangerous to assume that "supernatural;" or "spiritual;" manifestations prove a "Godly;" or "Christian;" source. There can be all kinds of spiritual movements, displays, exhibitions and activities which do not originate in the heart of God. Miracles per se cannot certify that the workers involved, their beliefs, teachings, intentions and results are Godly.

The Lord tells us that "...; the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance." (Romans 11:29). When He gives them, He doesn't take them back ("without; repentance" means He doesn't change His mind), and this includes the gift of miracles and the gift of healing. If a person was given this gift by God, he can continue to move in supernatural power even if he falls into sin or error. This helps explain how God can flow so powerfully through flawed or contaminated vessels. A minister can be a conduit of healing on a fairly consistent basis, yet be preaching mixture, error and falsehood. God doesn't take the gift away; God doesn't stop him. And neither does Satan. The mixed message the man speaks (which may be received by the body of Christ in part because of the miracles the man does) can be far more effective to lead us into error than the healings are effective to lead us to God.

This warning: "Watch; out! Just because they lay hands on the sick and they recover is not proof that they're in line with God's word or His purposes!" must be balanced by the Scriptures which indicate we can - to a certain degree - trust the working of miracles as an endorsement. These references include: "And; they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20) "The; same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (John 3:2)

So there's a balance; after we see the miracle, we must also test the spirits which surround the occurrence. And we must apply the true litmus tests to the miracle and what we believe about it:

• What is its fruit?
• Does it require the work of the Cross?
• Does it lead us closer to God or farther away from Him?

As always, we must avoid anything formulaic and base our conclusions and decisions on the word of God and on the leading of the Holy Spirit.

This tiny little summary of miracles was for the purpose of review and discussion because the working of miracles is a Scriptural method of obtaining healing. But it probably wouldn't work as our only way of walking in health. I know lots of people who adhere to the other three methods available to Christians and usually used, singly or in concert to receive healing. These methods are: God alone, Medical care with or without asking God's help, and natural means such as diet, rest and spiritual warfare. I know no one whose only health care is the application of miracles.