You might recall, late last year, I did a series on miracles. Today's bible article features the discussion of miracles; particularly snake-handling as referenced in Mk. 15:20. You can read the article by clicking HERE .

    Introduction There is a well-known movie that follows the story of a “Faith Healer” and his entourage, going from town to town, preaching, teaching, and “healing” people. The whole of it is a huge scam and they show how these “miracles” are being done. At a pivotal moment in the film, an actual crippled boy; one befriended by the preacher, comes onstage to be healed. The preacher knows he’s a fraud and is unable to do it. Not sure what else to do, he points out the local sheriff in the audience; one who’s unto his fakery, and states that since this man lacks faith, the healing won’t happen. The scene concludes when the crippled boy does become healed but without the preacher’s help. As the movie closes, we see the preacher abandoned everything he built to go straight. In our previous series of articles, we’ve looked at miracles in scripture and the fact that they have ceased. Contrary to what some believe that they continue even today. These “Faith Healers” will ...

    Introduction When one reads the gospels and learns of Jesus’ ministry (which includes healing people), we sometimes assume that Jesus healed everyone. But that isn’t true. Here’s what gospel preacher, J.D. Tant had to say about this subject— It should be obvious to all that the main purpose of gifts was not to heal the sick in the world or give sight to all the blind, etc. If that was the purpose, then there was a great failure. Christ could have spoken one word, and every malady in the whole world would have been eliminated. Christ’s purpose in performing miracles was to establish his credentials and identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, not to heal all the ills in the world. J.D. Tant, Miracles, Signs, and Wonders Let’s look at some examples in scripture to know, for sure, if He did or did not heal everyone.   The Multitudes of Matthew 12:15 At the start of Matthew 12, we see the Pharisees challenging Jesus concerning His disciples and the “unlaw...

    Introduction After Jesus was resurrected, He revealed himself to His disciples, twice, and John the concludes chapter 20 with this statement, And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.   (John 20:30-31) If the miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus performed were so important, why didn’t John list the others? In this article, we look at the real purpose of the miracles.   To Confirm the Identity of The Christ It’s easy for someone, anyone, to claim that they are The Messiah. We see a lot of that here in the 21 st Century with zero proof to back it up. Even after the church was established there were some claiming to be The Christ. In Acts 5:34 and following; Gamaliel, a pharisee, speaks of two men; Theudas and a Judas of Galilee, both claiming to be some...

    Introduction There is a continuous misconception of what miracles are, what their purpose is, and whether or not there are miracles even today. In this article, we’ll address all three of these. In an upcoming series, I’m going to address miracles in scriptures that didn’t have faith around it.   What is a Miracle? The definition from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary: 1. Literally a wonder, or wonderful thing. 2. In theology, an event or effect contrary to the constitution or establishment of things, or a deviation of the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. Miracles can only be brought by Almighty power, as when Christ healed lepers saying, “I will, be thou clean,” or calmed the tempest, “Peace, be still”   Examples of Miracles There are numerous miracles found in scripture and I’ll share just a few to give you an idea of those events. Not every miracle involved healing or resurrection. As listed above, Jesus calmed the tempest in Mark 4:39, ...