What role do "signs, wonders, and miracles" play in confirming God's message today? Setting the Context - Paul reminds the Corinthians, “... signs, wonders, and miracles” (2 Corinthians 12:12). - These visible acts authenticated him as a genuine apostle commissioned by Christ. - Scripture consistently shows God using the miraculous to underscore His message and His messengers. Apostolic Credentials Affirmed - In the first-century church, miracles served as God’s divine signature: • Acts 2:22 — Jesus was “attested to you by God with miracles…” • Mark 16:20 — The apostles “preached… the Lord working with them and confirming the word.” • Hebrews 2:3-4 — God “testified… by signs, wonders, and various miracles.” - These passages reveal a clear pattern: whenever new revelation was given, God backed it with supernatural evidence so no one could doubt its origin. Confirming God’s Unchanging Word Today - Scripture is now complete (Jude 3; Revelation 22:18-19). Its sufficiency means: • We do not need fresh revelation; we need faithful proclamation. • Miracles are not required to add authority to the gospel—it already carries divine authority. - Yet God still works supernaturally: • He heals and intervenes according to His will (James 5:14-16). • He providentially directs events for the spread of the gospel (Philippians 1:12). - Whenever He does act miraculously, the purpose remains identical to Paul’s day: • Draw attention to Christ, not the instrument (Acts 3:12-13). • Validate the truth already revealed in Scripture (Galatians 1:8). Guarding Against Counterfeits - Scripture warns of deceptive signs (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14). - The test is always doctrinal fidelity: does the miracle worker uphold the gospel as delivered in Scripture? Practical Takeaways - Hold fast to the written Word; it is the final, sufficient authority. - Rejoice when God intervenes, but measure every claim by the Bible. - Let the historical record of biblical miracles bolster confidence that the same God who once authenticated His message still rules, saves, and answers prayer today. |
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