Welcome!!! A BRIEF BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

OF SIGNS, WONDERS & MIRACLES

(THE GOSPELS & THE BOOK OF ACTS)

Definition of Miracles

What is a miracle?

A miracle has been a work brought by a divine power for a divine purpose by means beyond the means of man.

Wonderful or Unusual

Awesome

Phenomenal

The Biblical terms for miracle include:

Miracles, as an integral part of the Bible. Without miracles, there is no striking proof of God as its divine authorship.

SIGNS – (SEMEION)

Signs refer to the significance of miracles as being SEALS by which God authenticated the miracle worker Himself.

For example, the miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ were signs and SEALS of power belonging to the person.

Definition of Miracles

WONDERS – (TERASIN)

“Wonder” is used frequently to describe God’s power in performing miracles.

POWER – (DUNAMIS)

Miracles often manifest God’s “mighty power”.

Wonderful works (Matthew 7:22)

Mighty works (Matthew 11:20, Luke 10:13)

Definition of Miracles

Miracles (Acts 2:22, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28)

Acts 2: 22 - “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

All three words, power (dunamesin), wonders

(terasin), signs (semeious), are often combined to describe the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Definition of Miracles

Other terms used to describe miracles

include:

“Works” (John 5:36, 7:21, 10:25)

“Great things” (Luke 1:49)

“Glorious things” (Luke 13:17)

Definition of Miracles

PURPOSES of miracles in the Bible

In the New Testament:

Miracles, as an integral part of the Bible.

Without miracles, there is no striking proof of God as its divine authorship.

Miracles are therefore the official & authoritative seal of God.

1. Jesus’ miracles proved to us that

He is the Messiah (Anointed One)

These miracles authenticated His diving mission and also to help usher in the “Kingdom of God” on earth.

PURPOSES of miracles in the Bible

2. Jesus’ miracles mirrored His own

character and naturally expressed

His love and sympathy for those

who are suffering.

PURPOSES of miracles in the Bible

3. Jesus’ miracles helped people to

believe in our Almighty God

4. To forgive sins

5. To demonstrate that He is the Lord of

Sabbath

6. To demonstrate appreciation and

gratitude

PURPOSES of miracles in the Bible

7. To demonstrate His power even over nature

8. To reward those who have faith in Him, the Son of God

9. To destroy the works of Satan and demonstrating His authority over Satan and demons

10. To demonstrate His power over death

PURPOSES of miracles in the Bible

People/Agents who performed

miracles

1. God the Father

2. God the Son

3. God the Holy Spirit

4. Angelic Beings

5. Servants of God

6. Demonic Beings

Some issues concerning signs,

wonders & miracles 1. Is a person “specially anointed” to heal or perform signs, wonders and miracles? Mark 16: 17-19 – And these signs will accompany those who believe : …they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well (v18) John 14: 12 – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me, will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

1 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10 - …to another faith by the Holy Spirit, to another gift of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous power…

Some issues concerning signs, wonders & miracles

2. How is it that while we all earnestly

desire to experience signs, wonders and

miracles, how come it doesn’t always

happen?

The issue of “offense” against / at Jesus and “lack of “faith”. Mark 6:1 - 6

The issue of “God’s time”. John 2: 1 – 4

The issue of our “Motives” in wanting to experience signs, wonders and miracles. John 6: 25 - 42

The issue of looking at miracles from God’s perspective

The miracles we experience must shape how we think! Some miracles are awesome and dramatic but they are not primarily designed to dazzle us.

God gives us miracles to train us how to see differently. A miracle is a school.

The issue of looking at miracles from God’s perspective

TRANSFORMATION of our mind: How can this take place?

First, we need to reject the ‘leavens’ or ‘yeast’ (which means the influences on our minds)

The Leaven of Herod

The Leaven of the Pharisees (Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 15:6,9)

Two types of Leaven is the fear of the man, and they work against the renewal of our minds.

The issue of looking at miracles from God’s perspective

Second, we need to receive

the Leaven of the Kingdom (ie Kingdom influence)

The issue of looking at miracles from God’s perspective

The Leaven of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:33)

See your role in the miracle – your touch and obedience to Christ’s instruments is important (Mark 6:37)

Faith is the Key for miracle, not fear (Hebrews 11:1 – 2, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 1:19)

The issue of looking at miracles from God’s perspective

Revelation 13:14 - And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

Revelation 19:20 - Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

What is our Lord teaching us about miracle?