The Bible contains a record of many miracles. Some occurred preceding the advent of Jesus. However, during the first century there was an explosion of miraculous activity. John’s Gospel alone records many significant miracles, such as the feeding of 5,000 (Chapter 6) and the raising of Lazarus from the dead (Chapter 11). John assured his readers that his writing merely contained a sampling. “Many other [miraculous] signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
It is noteworthy that his eyewitness account was for the purpose of producing belief in the heart of the reader. However, what about the claims of some today that people can still perform miracles? An objective assessment is in order.
First, it seems quite apparent that the miracles recorded in the Scriptures differed significantly from what is being claimed today. For example, Lazarus had been dead for four days and his body was already stinking [the literal Greek meaning] (John 11:39), and family, friends and bystanders all witnessed his return to life. Contrast that with some man, unknown to the audience, who gets up from his wheelchair after some emotionally charged gestures and prayer. A simple reading of New Testament miracles, followed by a comparison to modern-day claims reveals a stark contrast.
Second, those claiming to possess miraculous power today often blame unbelief for any failure in their performance. Yet, in the first century, the apostles instantly healed a lame man who was “more than forty years old” (Acts 4:22) who had been lame from birth (Acts 3:2). The miracle was so uncontestable that the enemies of the apostles asked one another, “What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it” (Acts 4:16). Genuine miracles were so extraordinary that even antagonists were left without doubt!
There is an abundance of evidence for the genuineness of first-century miracles. The authenticity of so-called “modern-day miracles” is less than satisfactory.
[Editor’s Note: Even if you or I were to observe something for which we personally had no explanation, there is still the matter of what Scripture says about the purpose (Mark 16:20) and duration (1 Corinthians 13:8-12) of Bible-grade miracles. Miracles were the vehicle for the reception of new revelation from God (i.e., the New Testament), and miracles recorded in the New Testament validated both the speaker or writer and the message of divine origin. Miracles have already served the purpose for which they occurred, and since the New Testament or new revelation is complete, miracles have ceased – nearly 2,000 years ago. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
