III. BIBLICAL BASIS FOR THE SUPERNATURAL

A. Pentecostals believe in miracles (Luke 4:18-19) Power with Holy Spirit baptism Miracles = spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12)

B. Definitions Sign, wonder, and miracle – something God does that cannot be accomplished in the natural realm Manifestations: Supernatural, spiritual ministries given to the Church (I Corinthians 12)

C.Human responses to the presence of God Examples: weeping, being silent, running, falling, shouting, laughing Not supernatural – not caused by God Conditioned by personality, culture, and community

God may occasionally make people do unusual things. Examples: – Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, became mute. – God interrupted Paul and made him blind. But this is not God’s usual way of working.

Caution: Do not label all physical activity as mere unspiritual human response. Examples: – Young people interceding in Pensacola – People frozen into position – Girl acting out vision – Is all falling psychological/voluntary? – Gold dust, etc.

Distinguish between supernatural and human response Do not seek to imitate human responses. Do not interpret human responses as signs of spirituality or proof of favor of God.

Biblical Foundation of Signs and Wonders in the OT and NT Comunicación y Gerencia Click to add Text

Old Testament Foundation The Creator who is personal—foundational revelation for signs and wonders God confirmed His word and His messengers Abraham Moses Gideon Elijah Elisha Hezekiah

Old Testament Foundation The Warrior God who saves – supernatural deliverances Genesis through Malachi proclaims that the Lord wants fellowship with people for eternity and so He personally intervenes as the Deliverer-King to save those who will respond to His gift The Exodus from Egypt Taking the Promised Land

Old Testament Foundation The King who provides Moses and the children of Israel Elijah Elisha

Old Testament Foundation The Restorer through resurrection The Lord motivated Israel by predicting the ultimate events of judgment and salvation that will culminate the history of this world The promise of restoration occurs several times in Jeremiah Ezekiel promises that the nation of Israel will be totally restored in the Promised Land under Davidic leadership as a miracle of resurrection and that this will be a sign to all that the Lord is God (Ezekiel 37)

Old Testament Foundation The Restorer through resurrection (continued) Isaiah looks ahead to the ultimate miraculous transformation when the whole creation will be renewed to the harmony of Eden David says God will not allow “His Holy One to see decay” (Ps. 16:10)—a verse used in the earliest preaching on the resurrection (Acts 2:24-32) Daniel 12:2 clarifies that all will be resurrected either to eternal life or eternal shame

Old Testament Foundation Conclusion Believers may expect signs and wonders from a personal God Signs and wonders confirm His plan of salvation for the world Signs and wonders refer to direct interventions of a sovereign God Prophets, as divine spokespersons, may expect to perform signs and wonders as part of the Lord’s message as He directs

Old Testament Foundation Conclusion (continued) God’s miraculous acts confirm His Word and encourage faith Signs and wonders remind of both God’s judgment on sin and His blessing for faith Because of past miracles, believers should trust Him for their future, even if it involves a delay or no miracle at all Ultimately, God will totally restore all creation to complete harmony with Himself and resurrect believers to eternal fellowship with Himself

New Testament Foundation Old Testament promises of the Messiah – fulfilled in New Testament Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6-9 Isaiah 61:1-3

New Testament Foundation The Kingdom of God Launching of Jesus’ ministry after baptism was inauguration of the Kingdom Jesus preached the Good News of the Kingdom The Kingdom of God is the reign of God Acts 10:38 describes this Good News. Signs and wonders = normal expression of God’s reign touching people’s lives.

New Testament Foundation The Kingdom of God is Already/Not Yet It is already here in Christ (Matthew 12:28) It is yet to come in the final consummation of the Lord’s return in a new heaven and earth. We carry out our mission “between the times.” When the new heaven and earth are formed, the reign of the Kingdom will reach all of the created realm.

New Testament Foundation The Kingdom of God is a spritiaul Kingdom entered into through faith. The goal of the Kingdom is reconciliation of people to God. We are to preach and demonstrate the Kingdom of God. Must have power of the Spirit (Acts 1 – “wait”) Difference between authority and power To preach the Kingdom is to call people to reconciliation

Supernatural New Testament Ministry Ministry of Jesus was supernatural – Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38 Ministry of Paul was supernatural – 1 Cor. 2:4-5; Acts 19:11-12 Ministry of Peter was supernatural – 1 Pet. 4:11; Acts 9:34; Acts 5:15-16 Ministry of disciples was supernatural – Matt. 10:1; Mk. 3:14-15; Mk. 6:13; Luke 9:1-2,6; Heb. 2:4

NT Purposes of Signs & Wonders Demonstrate power and divinity of Christ Confirm integrity of God’s Word by meeting people’s needs God’s way of reaching the lost Bring fear of God upon people Demonstrate Jesus’ victory over Satan

Real Purpose of Holy Spirit Baptism Fill believers with power to do works of Christ (John 14:12) Same anointing as Jesus received at the beginning of His ministry (Luke 4:18) Spirit lives, speaks, and works through believers as manifested through Christ and apostles (Acts 4:33; Heb. 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4)

Are Signs and Wonders for us Today? Cessationists – 1 Cor. 13: Corinthians clearly states that super- natural gifts are given to the Church Church history contains many documented miracles

Proper role of signs, wonders, miracles, and manifestations of the Spirit, in the church Probably could see more if we would pay the price But God will never do so many miracles that He coerces mental agreement apart from faith (produced by Word and Spirit)

God’s plan is bigger than this life as we know it God’s plan is to bring people to salvation through the Word and working of the Spirit God intervenes where it is His will We must keep perspective

The more people are aware of God’s presence: – the more they will respond to Him in many forms – all can be authentic spiritual experiences, – a full range of human emotions will be seen

In spite of confusion today: We continue to affirm that signs and wonders are part of God’s plan for today God has not ceased to be a miracle- working God

Hindrances to Miracles Today Not making room or time for the Spirit Immorality Materialism Use of technique/manipulation Professionalism Loss of compassion/self-centeredness Religious tradition Division

Supernatural Ministry – for Every Believer Everyone is to be spiritually equipped Supernatural signs should “follow” every believer – Mark 16:17-18 – Cast out demons – Speak with new tongues – Take up serpents = demonstrate satan’s defeat – Have divine protection – Lay hands on sick, and sick will be healed