What is a miracle?

Miracles and Modern Maladies
by Tom Wacaster

Webster gives a number of definitions for "miracle," including: "a phenomenon of science; a wonderful thing; an event in the physical world deviating from the known laws of nature." The first two that I listed are really questionable insofar as true, genuine, Biblical miracles are concerned. Something may be a "phenomenon of science," or even a "wonderful thing," but these are most certainly not miracles. I may find a parking space at Walmart that is close to the door, but that is not a "miracle." In fact, our age has so MISUSED the word "miracle," that the extraordinary nature of a miracle is no longer considered when one contemplates whether or not something is truly a miracle. Today there are hundreds (yea, even thousands) who claim miraculous abilities, but who, at least to my knowledge, have yet to perform genuine miracles of the same magnitude as those recorded in the New Testament. I have NOT seen nor heard of a man who, after four days in the grave, was raised to life. I have NOT seen a man have his ear cut off and restored to completeness with the touch of a hand. I have NOT seen a man born blind, and then after some thirty years be restored in an instant. So why the apparent absence of such miracles? What was God's purpose for having miracles performed in the first place? Was there a time limit with regard to miracles imposed by God and defined in His word? These are questions that deserve an open, honest, and most importantly, a Biblical answer.

Think with me, for just a moment, about the purpose of miracles. When Jesus came to this earth, lived that sinless life, and died and ascended back to the "right hand of God," He selected a few men through whom he would accomplish the task of sending the Gospel throughout the world. He gave them the ability to authenticate that message as having come from His throne by endowing them with miraculous powers. While it is true that Jesus had compassion on the sick, and fed the multitudes, the primary purpose of His mighty deeds was NOT to lift man to a socially higher platform, but prove that His preaching and teaching were Divinely authorized. Reflect for a moment upon the Old Testament. Moses was given unique powers to confirm the message unto Pharaoh. There is a link between the revelation and the confirmation of that message to others. In Mark 2, Jesus would forgive the lame man. When questioned as to what authority Jesus had to forgive this man, Jesus responded with these words: "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins, I say unto thee, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house" (Mark 2:10). When the apostles marched forth with the royal orders, how would they authenticate their message? The answer can be found in Mark 16:20. "And they went forth, and preached everywhere...confirming the message by the signs that followed." Once a thing is confirmed, it forever stands. The truth being established, the "miracle" has accomplished its purpose.

With the purpose in mind, it seems that the next point to be considered is exactly how the ability to perform miracles was passed along to another. Not everyone in the early church had the ability to perform miracles. So how was this "ability" to perform miracles passed along to others? One important passage to study in this connection is Acts 8:14-20. Philip (the evangelist; not apostle) had gone to Samaria to preach the word of God. One of those converts was Simon the sorcerer. In order to strengthen the church, it was necessary that this new congregation of babes in Christ be endowed with at least some of the spiritual gifts. In order to pass along the "gifts" similar to those which Philip possessed, Peter and John (both apostles) were called from Jerusalem. They laid their hands upon a certain number of the brethren there, and at least some of them received the miraculous endowment of the Holy Spirit (verse 17). When considering this bestowal of the miraculous some questions come to mind. Why did Philip have to call down apostles from Jerusalem? What is meant by the "laying on of the apostles hands"? A careful investigation of these verses forces us to conclude the following: (1) Philip did NOT have the power to bestow the ability to perform miracles upon these new believers himself; (2) the particular manifestation of the working of the Holy Spirit under consideration is that of the miraculous element which existed in the church; (3) this miraculous element was passed along by the "laying on of the apostles hands"; (4) no indication is given that the particular ability to pass along the miraculous powers was available to any beside the apostles; (5) the death of the apostles would, of necessity, bring a cessation of the miraculous powers so prevalent in the early church. Can we substantiate our conclusion with other passages?

Once asked, "Do you believe in miracles?" I responded with, "Depends on what you mean by 'do you believe in.'" Do I believe God has performed miracles? Yes! Did Jesus and the Apostles work miracles? Again, yes! But what we want to address right here is the question of whether or not miracles have ceased. We shall let the Bible speak. Emotions do not establish truth. Claims to have "witnessed" some miracle will not suffice either. If it is the case that the word of God teaches that miracles have ceased, all claims to the contrary do not make the Bible 'not-so.' I may not be able to explain what you "saw," or what you may have "experienced," but if it contradicts the plain teaching of the Bible, then at least I can tell you what you did NOT see or experience. Another important item that begs consideration is the obvious absence of miracles comparable to those recorded in the New Testament. The very absence of these powers among virtually every group claiming such is evidence enough that they have no such power. "The proof is in the pudding" is applicable to more than just a confectionary delight. Claims need to be substantiated by proof. We shall share with our readers what the Bible says regarding the cessation of miracles and led them decide.