Are there Miracles Today?
Introduction
In our last article on
miracles, we learned that the miracles were temporary and ended, most or less
by the end of the first century. As the apostle Paul stated, Love never fails. But whether
there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will
cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and
we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which
is in part will be done away. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
However, if we were all to
believe the bible the same (1 Cor. 1:10), then we know that miracles are not
occurring today. And yet, there are those who believe that they are still be
performed today. This is why I am doing this article, to give further proof
that the miracles, signs, and wonders have, indeed, ceased.
Review of How Miracles were Given
As we saw in the previous article, the power of the Holy Spirit was given only two ways. First, it was
through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-3; 10:44-45). Second, it was
given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:6).
Since there are no apostles
living today, then we can conclude that no one can receive the power of the Holy
Spirit that way. And, since the bible is complete (1 Cor. 8:10; Jas. 1:25), we
can conclude that the Holy Spirit isn’t baptizing anyone either.
If Miracles are Happening Today…
You can tell that people are
desperate to believe that miracles still happen. Oral Roberts was the one who
said, “Expect a miracle.” And yet, he’s also the same man who told the world
that an image of a 900-foot Jesus appeared to him telling him to raise money
for a hospital.
If miracles are still happening, then why are there hospitals? Why are there still doctors’ offices? Why are there still pharmacies? Why are there still medical research facilities?
John stated, Beloved, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false
prophets have gone out into the world…We are of God. He who knows God hears us;
he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and
the spirit of error (1 John 4:1, 6). If you don’t test these
spirits, you are trusting in blind faith.
Remember what Paul said in
his second letter to the church in Corinth, For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan
himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness,
whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). This
means that Satan and his ministers are out there “performing miracles” and
taking your money.
And there’s another question: If miracles are still happening, why are they charging money for it? When Jesus sent his disciples out on the limited commission He said, These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5-8 NKJV). The disciples didn’t pay money to obtain the Holy Spirit and they didn’t charge anyone either.
A Lack of Faith?
With today’s tent preachers,
televangelists, and other “faith” healers, if a healing doesn’t go as planned,
they’ll either say, “It takes time for results to occur” or “You lack faith
which is why it didn’t happen” or “Someone in this audience doesn’t have any
faith and it’s blocking the miracle from happening”.
To answer the first comment,
about taking time, how long did it take for a healing to occur when Jesus did
it? When He healed the paralytic man in Mark 2, how long did it take? Verse 12
has the answer, Immediately he
arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all
were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like
this!" (Mark 2:12) Jesus didn’t say, “Give it time.” The result
was immediate.
When Jesus cleansed a leper
in Mt. 8, how long did it take? The answer is found in verse 3, Then Jesus put out His hand and
touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately
his leprosy was cleansed.”
(Matthew
8:3)
Let’s go one step further
since some will say, “Well, that’s Jesus performing a healing.” What about in
Acts 3 when Peter when he healed the lame man at the temple gate called
Beautiful? How long did that take? The answer is found in verse 7, And he took him by the right hand
and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and
ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:7)
If these “faith healers”
really had the power of the Holy Spirit, the results would be immediate! This
why they are all charlatans and disciples of Satan.
In response to the other
comments about a lack of faith, in my next series of articles we are going to
look at miracles that were performed where no faith was present at the time.
These are found in the scriptures! Of course, faith was present after the
miracles took place but, for argument’s sake, we will study the ones where no
faith was needed for it to occur.
Conclusion
Jesus stated, “A wicked and adulterous
generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign
of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. (Matthew 16:4) If you
believe Jesus to be the Son of the Living God, then believe what He said here.
There is no need to believe that miracles are still taking place today.
Paul also wrote, For I am not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16 NKJV). The
power is found in the gospel not from “miracles” performed for money. Turn to
Christ today!
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