The meaning of “miracles” as used in the Bible is “works of a 
supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by 
natural agents and means.” This is the definition of the Greek 
“Dunamis” which means also “power”. Another word in the Greek 
sometimes rendered “miracles” is “Semeion” which “is used of miracles
and wonders as signs of Divine authority.” 
(Vine’s Expository Dictionary, Vol. 3, p. 75).  Miracles as revealed
in the Bible were done by using the things of nature in a supernatural
way such as the flood in the days of Noah (Gen. 6-7). Miracles were
sometimes above the laws of nature as in the case of the sun standing
still in the days of Joshua (Josh. 10:12, 13). Also miracles were 
sometimes contrary to the laws of nature such as turning the sundial 
backwards 10 degrees in the days of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:11).

  1. The purpose of miracles in the old testament days was proving the 
One True Living God. In I Kings 18:38 after Elijah prayed, “Fire of 
the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and
the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the 
trench.” In This way Jehovah proved himself to be God. The miracles 
showed Israel that they needed to keep the words of Jehovah. He 
through Moses reminded them of the Miracles and signs done upon the 
Egyptians and in the wilderness and then exhorted “Keep therefore the
words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that
ye do.” (Deut. 29:2-9).

  2. The purpose of miracles done by Jesus Christ was to prove him to
be God’s Son and our Savior. John’s disciples came with a message from 
John, who was in prison, asking “art thou he that should come? Jesus
performed many miraculous cures in their presence and said, “Go your 
way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard….And blessed is
he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Lk. 7:19-23).  John says,
“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). The
thing that proved beyond a shadow of doubt that he is the Son of God 
with power is his resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:3,4). 

  3. Miracles done by the apostles and prophets proved the authenticity
and completeness of the gospel message as revealed in the New Testament.
(I Cor. 2:8-14; 14:37). We are told they would only last until perfected
will of Christ was revealed (I Cor. 13:8-10; Eph. 4:7-16). This was 
completed about A. D. 96. 

  4. In the May 1, 2000 issue of Newsweek on pages 56-61 a discussion
of miracles today is given. It is claimed that 84% of the people today 
believe that miracles are still being performed. People indeed are
being blessed in wonderful ways today but when we consider the things
surrounding the claim of miracles  today we cannot find a reason for 
them being done by God. The very nature of it is suspect. For instance
a Catholic lady said she prayed to a dead priest, 
(Francis Xavier Seelos), and was cured of cancer. That took God right
out of this one because she prayed to a man. Then in an Assembly of
God church in Springfield, Missouri a teenage boy was prayed for and 
claimed healing of his crippled knees but the same article states that
he still only runs slowly so he wasn’t completely healed. Why would 
God heal anyone in this religion when they teach so many things 
contrary to the will of God and are nothing but a human denomination
instead of being the New Testament church that Jesus established? 
Also the article continues stating that a Jewish lady claimed healing
from cancer by praying to a dead Rabbi of the Jewish religion. This 
again took God right out of it. Would God bless those who reject
Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall 
die in your sins.” (John 8:24). Then the Muslims claim many miracles
through Muhammed but he also rejected Christ. Christ is the way, the
truth and life and no man cometh to the Father except through Him 
(John 14:6). Also the Hindus believe in miracles but they don’t even
worship the One True and Living God but have 300,000 idol gods. We are 
warned of a falling away from the faith and of the man of sin being 
described as “even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan
with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thes. 2:9). We see him
working in the various erroneous religions of the world to deceive
people. Do not be deceived beloved friend.

Do you have questions or comments? Email us at Questions and we will reply shortly.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE GOSPEL HERALD ARCHIVES

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE MAIN PAGE