Are Miracles for today?

There is a lot of confusion today regarding miracles having a place in Christian ministry. The questions are often asked, “Is divine healing for today?” “Are there Prophets and Apostles today?”

       A. What are the main teachings about miracles?

   1. The miracles of Jesus Christ and the Apostles had a special, temporary purpose, and are not models for the entire church age. 

   2. God does not always heal, but He often does heal in answer to prayer.

   3. Jesus warned against seeking after miracles. – Matthew 12:38-39The Bible warns about false signs and wonders at the end of the church age. – Matthew 24:24
 
(Matthew 24:24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

       B. Why did Jesus and the Apostles perform miracles? 

  1. Jesus performed miracles to prove that He was the Messiah

​         a. The Scriptures make it very clear why Jesus performed miracles. 

• To bear witness of Christ - John 10:25
• Christ is in the Father - John 10:37-38
• That people would believe in Christ - John 14:11That those who believe in Christ might have life - John 20:30-31
  
  b. Jesus performed many others things that even the Apostles were not able to do.

• Jesus Calms the Storm – Matthew 8:27
• Jesus Knows the Hearts of men – Luke 5:22
• Jesus Knows the History of men – John 6:64
  
  
  ​C. The apostles performed miracles to prove that they were apostles.

• Mark 3:14-15
• 2 Corinthians 12:12

1. A Study through the Book of Acts will show us that the Apostles were the ones that performed the miracles.

 
Note: The only exceptions were a few men who were working closely with the Apostles, and the Apostles had laid hands upon them.

​   2. The vast majority of Bible-believing Christians in the early churches were not able to perform the sign miracles.Example: Tabitha being healed – Acts 9:36-41

• When Tabitha was sick and she came close to dying the believers in Joppa could not heal her, and when she did die, they could not raise her up from the dead. They had to call Peter the Apostle.

Note: If these miracles could be performed by all Christians in general, the signs of the Apostles would be rendered ineffective.
 
Part 2 – Next Week