Does God still perform miracles today?

Definition and Nature of Miracles

A miracle may be described as a divine intervention in the natural order that cannot be explained solely by physical or human causes. In numerous accounts, miracles serve as signs intended to reveal deeper truths, including the authority and character of the One performing them. Such events are presented across the Scriptures, emphasizing that they demonstrate the power and sovereignty of the Creator who formed the universe.

Biblical Foundations for Miracles

From the earliest pages of Scripture, there are accounts of God powerfully working in ways that transcend normal physical processes. In the Book of Genesis, the initial miracle is creation itself (Genesis 1), where the world, humanity, and all living creatures come into being by divine command. This pattern continues through biblical history:

• Exodus and the Parting of the Red Sea. The Israelites’ passage through the Red Sea is a notable display of divine power: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind...” (Exodus 14:21).

• Elijah and Elisha’s Miracles. The Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha acted as vessels for miracles such as the multiplication of oil (2 Kings 4:1–7) and the raising of the dead (1 Kings 17:21–22; 2 Kings 4:33–35).

• New Testament Healings and Signs. The Gospels record numerous healings and wonders, including giving sight to the blind, curing leprosy, calming storms, and even raising the dead (Matthew 11:5; Luke 5:12–13; Luke 7:14–15). These miracles served to authenticate the authority of the One performing them (John 10:37–38).

Continuity of the Miraculous in the Early Church

Accounts from the Book of Acts reveal that miracles continued beyond the ministry of Jesus. The apostles healed the lame (Acts 3:1–10), delivered people from unclean spirits (Acts 8:7), and even raised the dead (Acts 9:36–41). These events demonstrate the continuation of miracles through those who believed and trusted in divine power.

Scriptural Evidence for Present-Day Miracles

Several passages hint at the ongoing nature of miraculous activity:

• John 14:12: “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these...” This suggests that the work of miraculous intervention is not confined to the first century.

• 1 Corinthians 12:7–10 enumerates gifts in the community of believers, which include healing and miraculous powers.

While interpretations may differ regarding the function of these gifts, the New Testament provides no explicit statement that miracles would cease at a particular moment in history. Thus, each generation of believers can approach these texts with the expectation that God’s power may still manifest in extraordinary ways.

Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Over the centuries, many have pointed to evidence supporting biblical events traditionally held as miraculous. For instance:

• The excavations at Jericho by John Garstang and later Kathleen Kenyon revealed walls that seemingly collapsed inwards, consistent with the biblical description in Joshua 6, although the exact dating of these layers remains debated.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls, while not cataloging miracles themselves, provide textual confirmation that the Old Testament writings have been preserved accurately over time, showing consistency in the recorded accounts of miraculous interventions.

These findings build confidence in the trustworthiness of the biblical accounts. If these records are shown reliable in historical details, proponents argue it reinforces credibility in reporting supernatural occurrences as well.

Modern Reports and Testimonies

Beyond biblical and historical evidence, many individuals worldwide attest to experiencing miracles in present times—often in the form of unexplained healings, dramatic transformations, or providential occurrences. Some have been documented in medical journals as unaccountable recoveries, while others are noted in personal testimonies or through interviews compiled by researchers such as Craig S. Keener in his work “Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts.”

These accounts, while not reproducible in a scientific laboratory environment, are examined through testimonial and case-report approaches. Although debate continues over methodological interpretations, the sheer volume of documented testimonies suggests that what Scripture calls “signs and wonders” still appear to occur today.

Philosophical and Theological Considerations

If a sovereign, intelligent Creator exists and is responsible for establishing natural laws, there is no logical barrier preventing that Creator from choosing, at any time, to act outside or in addition to those laws. According to this line of reasoning:

1. God as Sustainer. If God is continually involved in the order of creation, moments of extraordinary intervention fit the broader understanding of divine sovereignty.

2. Consistent with God’s Character. Miracles throughout Scripture and history have served a purpose: revealing mercy, confirming divine authority, or emphasizing important messages. Continuing miracles align with a God who remains personal and engaged.

Goal and Purpose of Miracles

In biblical narrative and contemporary accounts, miracles often point beyond themselves to a greater truth:

• Affirming Divine Power. They showcase divine authority to deepen trust.

• Compassionate Intervention. Many healings and other wonders ease human suffering.

• Calling to Recognition. They urge individuals and communities to acknowledge the reality of a personal and loving God.

Miracles are not presented merely as spectacles but as signs urging a response—faith, humility, and gratitude.

Conclusion

When asked whether God still performs miracles today, numerous scriptural passages, historical corroborations, and contemporary personal accounts all point to a single conclusion: there is compelling testimony that miracles have not ceased. Rather, they appear to continue as expressions of divine power and care, aligning with the consistent message of Scripture that God is actively involved in His creation.

“Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). This verse encapsulates the enduring possibility that God’s power can manifest in extraordinary ways, even in the present day.