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"In His law he meditates day and night" Psalm 1:2
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A Study Of Miracles
Volume 14, Number 1
Wayne Burger |
January 14, 2009 |
Meditating on the Word
"In His law he meditates day and night" Psalm 1:2
"Meditating on the Word," edited by Wayne Burger, is a work of the Columbine church of Christ, 7453 S. Zephyr Ct., Littleton, Colorado, 80128. E-mail: burgpreach@prolynx.com -- Suggested topics are welcomed.
Vol. 14 No. 1 January 4, 2009
A Study of Miracles
The January-February 2009 issue of AARP The Magazine had a lengthy article about miracles. It was entitled “The Mystery of Miracles” and written by Bill Newcott. Below are some quotes from that article and some information about miracles from God’s word.
“In an AARP THE MAGAZINE survey, we asked 1,300 people 45 and over what they thought about miracles, and the results were striking: fully 80 percent said they believe in them, 41 percent said they happen every day – and 37 percent said they have actually witnessed one. Intriguingly, though, the older you are, the less likely you are to believe in miracles.”
They defined a miracle as, “an incredible event that cannot be scientifically explained” which is a pretty good definition. The word “miracle” is thrown around in today’s society pretty loosely. The 1969 New York baseball team is known as “the miracle Mets.” Numerous people have walked away unscathed from a terrible car accident and it was said to have been a miracle.
Their survey found that “seventy-one percent of those with a college or post-college degree are believers, for example, compared with 85 percent of those with a high-school degree. And the more money you make the less likely you are to believe in miracles: 78 percent of those making $75,000 or more believe; 86 percent of those making $25,000 or less do.”
They also found that “85 percent of them (women) do (believe), compared with just 73 percent of men. Most intriguingly, older folks are less inclined to believe: 85 percent of those ages 45 through 54 believe in miracles, compared with 78 percent of those 55 through 64, and 75 percent of those 65 and up.” They also found “18 percent of people who simply reject the whole notion.”
The Bible and Miracles
The information in that article is probably pretty accurate in terms of views people have of miracles today. There are three views about miracles: (1) Some deny that miracles were ever done, (2) Some believe that miracles were done in the Bible times for a particular purpose, and (3) Some believe that miracles are still done today.
How Does God Work?
He works through natural laws through the rains and fertile ground in order to produce food, Genesis 8:22. Babies are born thorough natural laws of reproduction. The sun rises and sun sets the same all the time. The tides come in and go out on a regular schedule.
God also works through “providence,” Genesis 22:9-14. God will work to provide through natural events. We are to pray for our daily food, Matthew 6:11, but God doesn’t drop bread directly from heaven onto our plates. But, God promises to give us what we need, Matthew 6:31-33.
God has also worked through miracles (supernatural laws). God once made a man out of the dust of the ground, Genesis 1:26-2:7. God fed the children of Israel in the wilderness by a miracle, Exodus 16. God made the sun stand still, Joshua 10:13-14.
Defining a Miracle
The Bible doesn’t give a definition of a miracle, but by studying the miracles recorded in the Bible one can arrive at the correct definition of a miracle. It is a term used in the Bible that refers to an act where God directly suspends the natural laws. Webster’s English Dictionary has: “An event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes, especially to an act of God.” We might say it is an event that goes beyond the natural laws that God has ordained.
Characteristics of Miracles
(1) It is an event recognized by the senses – see, hear, etc. Acts 4:16. (2) It is an instantaneous event, (3) It is a complete event, not one in which one is partial healed, etc. (4) It is a certifiable – real event, (5) It is a verifiable event – one that can be proven, and (6) It is an event that is acknowledged by unbelievers, Acts 3:3-10; 4:16; John 11:47.
Nearly every time a miracle is accomplished in the New Testament it is described with three words – “sign – wonder – power,” (Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:1-4). The word “sign” is used as a token, an indication of the working of God. It is to tell us something. A second word that is used to describe the event is “miracle” or “power.” This identifies the event as something special. The third word “amazed” or “wonder” or “astonished” tell the reaction of the people who see the miraculous event (Mark 7:37; 6:51). Interestingly, these words are never used without the word “sign” (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8).
Five Classes of Miracles
(1) There are miracles that deal with nature: (Matthew 8:23-27; 14:28-31; 21:18-21). (2) There are miracles that deal with disease, (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 17:11-19). (3) There are miracles that deal with demons, (Matthew 8:28-34; 9:32-35). (4) There are miracles that deal with material things, (Matthew 14:15-21; John 2:1-11; 21:6-14). and (5) There are miracles that deal with death, (John 9:32-44; Luke 7:11-16; Mark 5:22-24).
Jesus’ Miracles
He did not do miracles to make Himself famous. At least five miracles that He performed He said, “tell no man,” (Matthew 8:1-4; 9:27-31; Mark 3:7-12; 7:31-37; 8:22-26). The miracles that He performed were instantaneously complete, without the person later having a relapse. There was never a question as to whether or not a miracle was performed. Only one time in 31 miracles did Jesus require faith, (Matthew 9:27-31). Some were healed because of the faith of others, (Matthew 15:21-28; John 4:46-54; Matthew 9:1-8; Matthew 8:5-12). Cases where He raised people from the dead are clear cases where the person had no faith. This is contrast to so called “faith-healers” today. If they fail they blame the person’s lack of faith. Clearly miracles were seen in that: (1) A severed ear was restored, (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47). (2) Lepers were healed, (Mark 1:40-45; Luke 17:11-19). (3) A man lame for 38 years, (John 5:1-16). (4) A blind man given sight, (John 9). and (5) A withered hand was restored, (Mark 3:1-5).
People did not have to be present for Jesus to heal them, (Luke 7:1-10; John 4:46-54). Neither Jesus nor his apostles collected money when performing miracles. This is a sharp contrast to so-called modern day “faith healers.”
The Purpose of Biblical Miracles
Before the New Testament was written, the miracles were done to prove to others that the one speaking was a man from God and should be listened to. We see this illustrated when Nicodemus came to Jesus. He said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” John 3:2. When Jesus sent the disciples into the world to preach the gospel the Bible states, “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed” Mark 16:20. Thus, miracles were not used because of compassion or for the benefit of the one performing the miracle, but to confirm that the word that was being preached was from God, (Hebrews 2:1-4). When the Holy Spirit finished guiding the apostles in writing the New Testament, there was no longer a need for miracles. Thus, miracles ceased.
The inspired word of God could do the same thing that miracles accomplished – cause people to believe. As the apostle John finished his gospel he gave testimony to that fact. He said, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His same” John 20:30-31. Miracles are not needed today because the written word of God can accomplish what miracles accomplished before the New Testament was written.
Miracles Not Done – Why?
Paul was a tremendous worker for God, yet he struggled with what he called “a thorn in the flesh.” He asked God three times to remove it (II Corinthians 12). Paul and the other apostles had miraculous powers, why wasn’t a miracle done to remove that thorn? Trophyimus was a traveling companion of Paul, but Paul said, “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus” II Timothy 4:20. Since Paul had the ability to heal miraculously, why didn’t he heal him? The young preacher Timothy had stomach trouble why didn’t Paul heal him? Instead of healing him he told him “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments,” I Timothy 5:23. Timothy was so opposed to drinking anything that appeared to be alcoholic he had not even been drinking grape juice. Why didn’t Paul just heal him instead of telling him to take some medicine? Miracles were performed to confirm the word, not out of compassion or for medicinal purposes.
Wayne Burger
(Continued next week)
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