|
|
                               |
A Study of the Miracles in the New Testament I. One mission of the Holy Spirit in the work of
revelation was to confirm the word preached with
“signs following”.
1. Mark 16:15-20.
2. Paul declares that this work of confirming was
done.
(a) Hebrews 2:1-4
(b) Acts 14:3
3. These miracles and signs following the preaching
of the Word of God in the New Testament day were
to confirm the message as a message from God.
(a) The things being revealed were a new message.
(b) They had to be confirmed as the Word of God
in order that they might be accepted by faith
in God.
4. Paul declares the purpose of these miracles and
wonders:
(a) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
(b) Hence, these miracles that accompanied the
revealing of God’s word were to produce faith
in God and in the Message revealing His will.
(c) Our faith today needs to in the Word of God
thus confirmed and not in the testimony of
men.
(d) The truth once confirmed does not need to be
reconfirmed.
(e) The Word of God needs no confirmed today – it
needs only believing.
5. Miracles were the seal of Authority of God’s
representatives.
(a) Christ – John 5:36
(b) Apostles – 2 Corinthians 12:12
II. The Nature of the Miracles of Jesus:
1. Jesus had the spirit without measure or
limitation. John 3:34
2. An analysis of the miracles performed by Christ
while here on this earth reveals that they fall
into the following different classifications.
(a) He demonstrated His power over nature in the
stilling of the tempest. Matthew 8:26
(b) He demonstrated His power over the demon
world. Therefore over the devil by casting
out demons. Matthew 8:10
(c) He demonstrated His power over material
things by multiplying the loaves and fishes
and feeding the five thousand men besides the
women and children. Matthew 14:15-21
(d) He demonstrated His power over diseases by
healing leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3), and every
disease and every sickness (Matthew 9:35).
3. Modern miracle healers will not undertake what
Jesus did, yet they would lead you to think they
have the same power and that Jesus is healing
through them.
4. If Jesus is doing the healing now, why doesn’t He
heal now like He did then?
III. The Purpose of the Miracles of Christ:
1. The miracles of Christ were performed in order to
Demonstrate that He could forgive sins.
(a) Matthew 9:6
2. Jesus also performed His miracles in order to
prove that He was sent of God and that He was the
Christ.
(a) John 5:36
(b) John 10:25
(c) John 10:36-38
(d) Acts 2:22
3. If it is possible that we have miracles today for
these purposes, then we need Jesus here to
perform them and not someone else.
4. Who would dare claim that their so called
miracles were proof that they could forgive sins,
and that they were come from God.
5. We do not need miracles for these purposes today.
6. We have divine testimony recorded and preserved
for us in the Word of God for the purpose of
producing faith in Christ and all we need to do
is believe that testimony.
(a) John 20:30-31
IV. The Miracles Performed by the Apostles:
A. When Jesus appointed the twelve to their
apostleship, He gave them miraculous power.
(a) Matthew 10:5-8; Acts 1:8; Acts 2
B. These miraculous powers given to the twelve were
signs of their apostolic office.
(1) 2 Corinthians 12:11-12
C. In analyzing the miracles performed as signs of
the apostolic office we find the apostels has
these powers.
(1) They healed all manner of diseases. Mark
6:13; Acts 19:11-12
(2) They cast out many devils. Mark 6:13
(3) They imparted miracle working powers unto
others by laying their hands on them. Peter
and John at Samaria were such a case. Acts
8:14-18
(4) They had power over death.
(a) they demonstrated this by raising the
dead.
(b) Peter raised Dorcas from the dead. Acts 9
(c) Paul restored the young man who fell out
of the window at Troas. Acts 20
(5) They had power to pronounce a curse upon
those who stood in their way.
(a) Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for
trying to deceive God. Acts 5
(b) Elymas was struck blind by Paul. Acts
13:10-11
D. Only a very limited and partial examination of
present day – so called – healers and miracle
workers will reveal they do not have the power
the apostles had.
E. They do not dare attempt even the healing which
the apostles did.
F. These present-day professed healers will attempt
only certain cases and ordinarily will hastily
reject anyone who has anything seriously wrong
with him, especially if it is something visible.
VI. Miraculous Powers Were Distributed Among Early
Disciples.
A. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
VII. The Purpose of These Miraculous Powers:
A. Confirm the word – Mark 16:20
B. Edify the Church – 1 Corinthians 14:22, 26
C. Establish God’s order – Ephesians 4:7, 11
VIII. How were the Miraculous Powers Conferred: Acts 6:5-6;
8:18-18; 19:6
IX. How Long were these gifts to last? Ephesians 4:7-14;
1 Corinthians 13:8; James 1:25
X. Arguments on the following Scriptures – Isaiah 53:5;
Hebrews 13:8; Mark 16:17; Matthew 28:20.
Howard I. See
|
