Miracles in the Bible: Part Six
Walking through the miracles of Christ has made me aware of a progression of people God chose to display His signs, wonders, and miracles all focusing on His Bride: you and me. They didn’t stop when Jesus returned to heaven since He gifted that same ability, at His discretion, to His followers.
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. Mark 16:17-18, 20
It was better that Jesus leave them for the Spirit was coming to continuously fill and clothe them with power (Luke 24:49); we have that same Holy Spirit power. The Church was confirmed by the Spirit as He poured out His love and compassion through these new believers seen all through the book of Acts beginning with the Twelve:
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 2:43
When Peter realized their ministry was also miraculous he clearly gave the credit to God and specifically to the Name of Jesus as he prayed:
Stretch out Your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of Your Holy Servant Jesus. Acts 4:30
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
That ‘great power and grace’ is the same word dunamis, dynamite, miracle-working power that Jesus operated in and now is available to all believers continuing to confirm His identity and also to show His love and mercy. Acts 5:12 tells us these signs and wonders were done regularly by the followers of Christ; it was a ‘new normal’. Stephen (Acts 6:8), Philip (Acts 8:6-7, 13), and finally Barnabas and Paul (Acts 14:3), who were not part of the Twelve, were also given God’s help to strengthen people in their new faith walk through signs, wonders, and miracles. Now we can be available as well.
Paul prayed in Rom. 15:13-19 that believers would be empowered by the Spirit whether by word (preaching) or deed (power-signs and wonders) to fulfill the ministry of the gospel. The Kingdom of God shows itself in power (1 Cor. 4:19-20) by the gifts of the Spirit (Heb. 2:3-4) according to His will and distribution, including those who He gifts to work of miracles (1 Cor. 12:10). Be available to God with an open, receiving heart that’s ready to act if His Spirit chooses you.
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