1. Biblical Miracles vs. Modern Day “Miracles”
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2. ROME – “Catholics campaigning to have the late Pope John Paul II declared a saint in record time should welcome two reports of miracles alleged to have occurred at the pontiff's tomb. A woman from Turin who couldn't find her car keys took the train to Rome to view the pope's tomb yesterday. While she was standing in line waiting to buy a ticket to see the tomb, she miraculously found her car keys in her purse. In a separate incident, a man from Naples who had not had sex with his wife for sixteen years reported that after they had visited the pope's tomb, she miraculously took him by the hand and suggested they skip lunch and go back to their hotel.”
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3. Great Interest in Modern Day Miracles
The Catholics are searching for miracles for the canonization of John Paul II.
The Pentecostal movement believes in modern day miracles.
The Mormons claim that Joseph Smith preformed miracles, spoke in tongues, and made many prophetic predictions.
People are told today:
“EXPECT A MIRACLE”
CLAIM YOUR HEALING”
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4. 1 John 4:1—Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
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5. Acts 17:10-11—And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.
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6. A Bible Miracle Is Not Just:
A WONDERFUL ENRAPTURING EXPERIENCE.
AN UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENON.
AN ACT OF GOD.
God created the laws of nature.
Hebrews 1:3—And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Matthew 5:45—in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
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7. A Bible Miracle Is Not Just:
A WONDERFUL ENRAPTURING EXPERIENCE.
AN UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENON.
AN ACT OF GOD.
A “SUPERNATURAL” ACT OF GOD.
A miracle perhaps is defined in this way today:
The American Heritage Dictionary: “1. An event that appears unexplainable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in the origin or an act of God…”
Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: 1. An extraordinary event manifesting a supernatural work of God…”
H. Wace: “The Bible idea of miracles as an extraordinary work of God…transcending the ordinary powers of nature, wrought in connection with the ends of revelation.”
ISBE, Vol. 3 page 2062
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8. God Does Work Providentially:
Genesis 45:5—“And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Genesis 50:19-20—But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
Daniel 4:17—This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers, And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes, And sets over it the lowliest of men.”
Just because God works in some way to alter the course of nature does not make it a miracle.
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9. If God Answers Our Prayers Then God Is Working In Someway:
God hears our prayers:
1 John 5:14-15—And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Mark 11:24: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
God answers prayers:
James 5:16-18 —Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another; so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
If God only works through miracles and miracles have ceased, then why pray?
We are encouraged to pray. Therefore God works through means other than miracles.
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10. Acts 2:22—“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 1 Cor. 12:12—For the signs of a true apostle were preformed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
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11. Hebrews 2:3-4—how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation
Hebrews 2:3-4—how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
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12. A Biblical Definition of a Miracle:
POWER from God of such a nature that it produces WONDER and constitutes a SIGN
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13. The Westminster Dictionary Of The Bible: “Miracles are events in the external world, wrought by the immediate power of God and intended as a sign or attestation. They are possible because God sustains, controls, and guides all things, and is personal and omnipotent.”
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14. Every Act of God Is NOT a Miracle:
Childbirth.
The birth of Cain. (ACT in NATURE)
Genesis 4:1—Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”
The birth of Samuel. (ACT in PROVIDENCE)
Hannah’s prayer: 1 Samuel 1:9-11—Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. And she, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and bitterly. And she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thy maidservant, but wilt give Thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”
God’s and Hannah’s actions: 1 Samuel 1:19-20—Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And it came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”
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15. Every Act of God Is NOT a Miracle:
Childbirth.
The virgin birth of Jesus. (MIRACLE)
God foretold this sign to the house of David.
Isaiah 7:14—“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
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16. Every Act of God Is NOT a Miracle:
In Healing
God Acting Through Nature.
1 Timothy 5:23—No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
God Acting Through Providence.
God’s decree: 2 Kings 20:1—In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’”
Hezekiah’s Prayer: 2 Kings 20:2—Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech Thee, how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Thy sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
God’s answer: 2 Kings 20:5—“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
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17. Every Act of God Is NOT a Miracle:
In Healing
A MIRACLE.
The Lame Man;
Acts 3:2—And a certain man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.
God through Peter acted:
Acts 3:6—But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”
Acts 3:7—And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
Note the enemies of the cross: Acts 4:16—saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
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18. In the New Testament cases of miracles there was no doubt even among the most belligerent enemies of the cross that God had manifest His power in the great way. In the case of providence there could be some doubt as to whether God’s hand was in it.
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19. Est. 4:13-14—Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. ‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
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20. The Issue Is Not:
The issue is not whether men were healed in Bible times.
The issue is not whether you or I believe in miracles.
The issue is not whether God acted this way in the past.
The issue is not what men claim about healing today.
The issue is not whether or not God heals today.
The issue is not whether we should pray for the sick.
The issue is not whether or not our prayers have power.
The issue is not whether or not God answers prayer.
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21. The Issue Is:
Are miracles (like those recorded in the New Testament) being performed today?
Is the written word of God sufficient to produce faith into salvation?
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22. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
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23. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
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24. When Jesus Preformed Miracles He Manifested Power Over:
NATURE
Matthew 8:24-26—And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves; but He Himself was asleep. And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” And He said to them, “Why are you timid, you men of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm.
DISEASE
Matthew 4:23—And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among people.
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25. Jesus Cast Out Demons: The demoniac in the synagogue at Capernaum.
Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37;
The blind and dumb demoniac
Matthew 12:22-24;
The Gadarene demoniacs
Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39;
The dumb demoniac
Matthew 9:32-34;
The Syrophenician’s daughter
Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30;
The boy demoniac
Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43;
Luke 11:14-16;
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26. Jesus Raised the Dead: The widow’s son at Nain Jairus’ daughter
Luke 7:11-17;
Jairus’ daughter
Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56;
Lazarus
John 11:1-44;
Note: The Apostles manifest power over DISEASE, DEMONS, and DEATH.
Acts 3:1-10; Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 9:36-43; Acts 20:7-12;
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27. The Faith Healer’s Miracles Are Limited
Mark 16:17-18— And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
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28. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
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29. Jesus healed the DEAF, the DUMB, the BLIND, the MAIMED, and the LAME, etc.
Matthew 11:4-5—And Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
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30. The nobleman’s son was at the point of death. (John 4:46-47, 49)
JESUS AND THE APOSTLES HEALED PEOPLE WITH AFFLICTIONS AND AILMENTS THAT WERE READILY APPARENT:
The nobleman’s son was at the point of death. (John 4:46-47, 49)
Peter’s mother-in-law was lying sick with great fever. (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38;)
The leper in Luke 5, was “full of leprosy” (Luke 5:12)
The lame man in John 5, was lame for 38 years. (John 5:5-6)
The blind man in John 9 was blind since birth. (John 9:1-41)
Lazarus was in the tomb for four days. (John 11:39)
Etc.
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31. The Faith Healers: They specialize in internal medicine. Headaches
Backaches
Stomach problems
Nervous disorders
Even claiming to heal cancers.
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32. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
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33. Public Miracles:
Jesus and the apostles preformed many miracles that were public.
Jesus preformed miracles that were:
By a public pool (John 5:1-2) (Lame man)
Before a funeral possession (Luke 7:11-12)
In an overcrowded house. (Mark 2:1-4)
Peter and John healed a lame man by the gate Beautiful in the temple compound.
Acts 3:1-10
These are not reports of miracles that are often PRIVATE
In the deepest recesses of Africa or the Philippines or some remote location.
I want to see the faith healers empty the beds of our hospitals and nursing homes here in Warner Robins, GA.
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34. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
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35. The Enemies of the Cross Could Not Deny the Miracle:
They attributed the miracles to demonic power (Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22)
They accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath (John 5:10-12, 16)
They tried to intimidate the witnesses. (John 9:18-34)
They threatened the miracle-workers (Acts 4:17-18, 21)
They imprisoned the miracle-workers (Acts 5:17-18)
They beat the miracle-workers (Acts 5:40)
Etc.
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36. John 12:10-11—But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.
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37. Acts 4:16—saying, “What shall we do with these men
Acts 4:16—saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
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38. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
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39. Bible Miracles: Bible miracles were IMMEDIATE:
The nobleman’s son was healed “AT THAT HOUR” (Jn. 4:50-54)
Peter’s mother-in-law rose up from her fever “IMMEDIATELY” (Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:30-31; Lk. 4:38-39)
The leper was cleansed “STRAIGHTWAY” (Mt. 8:2-3; Mk. 1:41-42; Lk. 5:12-13)
The man with palsy “IMMEDIATELY” arose and “STRAIGHTWAY” took up his bed (Mt. 9:6-7; Mk. 2:11-12; Lk. 5:24-25)
“STRAIGHTWAY” the infirmed man at the pool Bethesda was made whole and took up his bed and walked (Jn. 5:8-9)
The centurion’s servant was healed “IN THAT HOUR” (Mt. 8:13)
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40. Bible Miracles:
The woman with the issue of blood was healed “STRAIGHTWAY,” “IMMEDIATELY,” “FROM THAT HOUR” (Mk. 5:29; Lk. 8:44, 47; Mt. 9:22)
Jairus’ daughter arose from the dead “STRAIGHTWAY,” “IMMEDIATELY” (Mk. 5:42; Lk. 8:55)
The daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman was healed “FROM THAT HOUR” (Mt. 15:28)
The boy demoniac was cured “FROM THAT HOUR” (Mt. 17:18)
The man born blind went to wash and he CAME SEEING (Jn. 9:7, 11, 15)
The infirmed woman was made straight “IMMEDIATELY” (Lk. 13:12-13)
The ten lepers were cleansed “AS THEY WENT” to show themselves to the priest (Lk. 17:14-16)
Bartimaeus and his companion received their sight “STRAIGHTWAY,” “IMMEDIATELY” (Mt. 20:34; Mk. 10:52; Lk. 18:43)
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41. Bible Miracles:
The fig tree withered away “IMMEDIATELY” (Mt. 21:18-20; Mk. 11:12-14, 19-20)
The lame man outside the temple was healed “IMMEDIATELY” (Acts 3:6-8)
Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead “IMMEDIATELY” (Acts 5:1ff, 5, 10)
Saul of Tarsus received his sight “STRAIGHTWAY” when Ananias laid his hands on him (Acts 9:17-18)
Aeneas arose “STRAIGHTWAY” (Acts 9:32-35)
Elymas was struck blind “IMMEDIATELY” (Acts 13:9-12)
The demon left the maiden at Philippi “THAT VERY HOUR” (Acts 16:18)
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42. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
Biblical Miracles Were COMPLETE.
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43. Matthew 15:29-31—And departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up to the mountain, He was sitting there. And great multitudes came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, dumb, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them, so that the multitude marveled as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Note: The lame did not need walkers The blind did not need glasses for a time. The dumb did not need a speech therapist! Etc. Their healing was complete!
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44. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
Biblical Miracles Were COMPLETE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNFAILING & UNCONDITIONAL.
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45. Faith Healers Will Often Fail:
They attribute their failure to a “lack of faith”.
The only failure in Bible times was due to a lack of faith.
On the disciples part: Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:31-37;
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46. Biblical Miracles Contingent on Faith:
The woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:22)
Jairus (Mark 5:36)
The two blind men (Matthew 9:28)
The centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9)
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47. Biblical Miracles Were NOT ALWAYS CONTINGENT UPON FAITH:
John 5:13—But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
John 9:35-38—Jesus heard that they had put him out; and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “And who is He, Lord, that I many believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.”
Luke 22:50-51—And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And he touched his ear and healed him.
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48. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
Biblical Miracles Were COMPLETE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNFAILING & UNCONDITIONAL.
Biblical Miracles Were PURPOSEFUL.
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49. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
The primary purpose was not:
Compassion:
Matthew 14:14—And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick.
If Compassion were the primary purpose then explain:
Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:26-27)
Paul (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23)
Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20)
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50. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
The miracle confirmed the message preached:
It confirmed the message preached of those sent out at the end of Mark. (Mark 16:20)
It confirmed the message preached to the early Christians by the apostles.
Hebrews 2:3-4—how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
It confirmed the message preached by Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 14:2-3--But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
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51. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
The miracle confirmed the messenger:
Jesus:
Jesus healed the paralytic so that men would know that He had the power to forgive sins. (Matthew 9:6-7; Mark 2:10-12; Luke 5:24-25;)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead so that His disciples would believe. (John 11:15, 42)
When John the Baptist doubted whether or not Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus pointed him to His miracles. (Matthew 11:2-6)
Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was from God by the signs that He preformed. (John 3:1-2)
Jesus pointed to His works as corroborative evidence for His claims. (John 5:35; 10:25; 37-38)
The miracles recorded in the gospel of John are recorded to produce faith in Jesus. (John 20:30-31)
The apostles appealed to the miracles of Jesus as corroborative evidence for His claims. (Acts 2:22)
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52. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
The miracle confirmed the messenger:
The apostles:
Hebrews 2:3-4—how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Romans 15:18-20—For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, and in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation;
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53. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
Revelation:
The Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2 for this reason:
John 14:26—But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 16:13-14—“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.
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54. Jude 3—“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
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55. Acts 6:7—And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priest were becoming obedient to the faith. Gal. 1:23—but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.
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56. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
Revelation:
The Holy Spirit Baptism was given to the Apostles to guide them in all truth.
John 14:26—But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 16:13-14—“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.
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57. The Purpose of Bible Miracles:
Confirmation:
Revelation:
The Holy Spirit Baptism was given to the Apostles to guide them in ALL TRUTH.
The Holy Spirit Baptism was given to Cornelius and his household to reveal ONE TRUTH.
Acts 11:17-18—If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” And when they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
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58. The Purposes for Miracles Where Fulfilled in the First Century
The message was confirmed:
Mark 16:20—And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.
Acts 14:3—Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
The messengers were confirmed:
John 20:30-31—Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Acts 2:43—And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Acts 19:6—And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
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59. HOW MANY TIMES DOES GOD HAVE TO CONFIRM SOMETHING????
Does God have to keep:
Creating man from the dust of the ground to prove He did it in Genesis 1-2?
Parting the Red Sea to prove that He did it in Exodus 14?
Sending manna to His people to prove that He did it in the wilderness?
Repeating the virgin birth, to prove that He did it through Mary?
Repeat the resurrection of Christ to prove that it happened in the first century.
Etc.
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60. Gal. 3:15—Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is only a man’s covenant, yet if is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
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61. Is the Written Record of Miracles Enough?
Luke 16:27-31—And he said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, that you may send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ “But he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
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62. THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES WAS FULFILLED IN THE FIRST CENTURY:
REVELATION IS COMPLETE:
Jude 3—“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Acts 20:26-27—“Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
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63. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
Biblical Miracles Were COMPLETE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNFAILING & UNCONDITIONAL.
Biblical Miracles Were PURPOSEFUL.
Biblical Miracles Were TEMPORARY.
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64. The Means for Obtaining Miraculous Power Is Not Available Today:
Miraculous power in the New Testament was obtained in one of two ways:
Holy Spirit Baptism
The laying on of the apostles hands (cf. Acts 8:14-24; 19:6; 2 Tim. 1:6;)
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65. The Means for Obtaining Miraculous Power Is Not Available Today:
Holy Spirit baptism is not available to us today.
First according to John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-16; Acts 1:8; it was a promised given to the apostles.
Second, it was given to the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-18; 15:7-9;)
There is just ONE BAPTISM for salvation (Eph. 4:5)
There are no living apostles today to impart miraculous power through the laying on of hands.
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66. 1 Corinthians 13—Spiritual Gifts Will Cease
1 Corinthians 13:1-3—The necessity of love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.—The qualities of love.
1 Corinthians 18:8-13—The permanence of love.
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67. 1 Corinthians 13—Spiritual Gifts Will Cease
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Paul will contrast the permanence of love to the temporary nature of spiritual gifts.
He does this by offering two facts:
1 Cor. 13:8—Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS WILL CEASE.
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68. 1 Corinthians 13—Spiritual Gifts Will Cease
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Paul will contrast the permanence of love to the temporary nature of spiritual gifts.
He does this by offering two facts:
He offers two reasons why miraculous gifts must cease.
The gifts are only fragmentary.
But the fragments will arrive at the goal of completeness.
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69. Benjamin B. Warfield—“There is little or no evidence at all for miracle-working during the first fifty years of the post-Apostolic Church; it is slight and unimportant for the next fifty years; it grows more abundant during the next century (the third); and it becomes abundant and precise only in the fourth century, to increase still further in the fifth and beyond.” (“1 Corinthians” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 10, page 279)
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70. Benjamin B. Warfield: “The writings of the so-called Apostolic Fathers contain no clear and certain allusions to miracle working or to the exercise of charismatic gifts, contemporaneous with themselves.” (“1 Corinthians” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 10, page 279)
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71. H.E. Vine—“There is no evidence of the continuance of this gift after Apostolic times nor indeed in the later times of the Apostles themselves; this provides confirmation of the fulfillment in this way of 1 Cor. 13:8, that this gift would cease in the churches, just as would ‘prophecies’ and ‘knowledge’ in the sense of knowledge received by immediate supernatural power. The completion of the Holy Scriptures has provided the churches with all that is necessary for individual and collective guidance, instruction, and edification.”
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72. A Biblical Definition of a Miracle:
POWER from God of such a nature that it produces WONDER and constitutes a SIGN
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73. Characteristics of Biblical Miracles
Biblical Miracles Were UNRESTRICTED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNMISTAKABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNCONCEALED.
Biblical Miracles Were UNDENIABLE.
Biblical Miracles Were INSTANTENEOUS.
Biblical Miracles Were COMPLETE.
Biblical Miracles Were UNFAILING & UNCONDITIONAL.
Biblical Miracles Were PURPOSEFUL.
Biblical Miracles Were TEMPORARY.
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