|
Are you tired of seeing “healings and miracles” in which you must be told that you are seeing a healing or a miracle? People in the New Testament did not have to be told they saw something supernatural. We occasionally see phenomenal events today, but we do not see events which equate to New Testament miracles and healings. Healings in the New Testament were the ability to miraculously cure physical handicaps or diseases. These healings were not marginal improvements in health; they were dramatic, instantaneous and complete! There was no doubt that the cause of the healing was supernatural. No follow-up treatments or therapy were necessary. See how Peter healed a lame man in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1-10 ). Miracles were the ability to perform supernatural feats. Undoubtedly miracles exceeded nature, and human abilities. One test for determining if something is a miracle is to rule out the process of nature as being the cause. Although amazing, it is not a miracle when flowers bloom and when children are born. Indeed the creation of nature was a miracle of God. But the laws of nature, established by God, continue naturally. Miracles bypass the laws of nature. Miracles were self-evidenced. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36-42 ). Paul caused blindness to come upon Elymas, who tried to turn one away from the faith (Acts 13:6-12 ). Paul withstood deadly viper bites (Acts 28:3-6 ). We do not see such things as people raising the dead, or imposing blindness by a spoken word. The so-called miracles of today attempt much less. Healings, miracles, and all spiritual gifts had great significance nearly two thousand years ago, in New Testament times. These supernatural abilities confirmed that the New Testament is the word of God (Hebrews 2:3-4 ). However, they were only administered by the Apostles, and those upon whom they laid their hands (Acts 8:18 ). That means the need for miracles had an expiration date, within one generation of when they began. The Apostle Paul wrote that spiritual gifts would only be needed during the infancy of the church. After that, Christians must rely on “faith, hope, and love”. (1st Corinthians 13:8-13 ) Now you know why someone who promised a Biblical healing or miracle was not able to produce! |