In the biblical narrative, miracles serve as powerful demonstrations of divine intervention and authority, often leading to belief and conversion among witnesses. The convincing effect of miracles is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where they act as signs authenticating the message and messengers of God.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, miracles often confirmed the authority of God's chosen leaders and His covenant with Israel. For instance, the miracles performed by Moses in Egypt, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), were instrumental in convincing the Israelites of God's power and His commitment to their deliverance. These acts not only demonstrated God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods but also solidified Moses' leadership among the Israelites.

Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is another significant example. In 1 Kings 18:38-39, the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, leading the people to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" . This miracle decisively turned the hearts of the Israelites back to God, showcasing the convincing power of divine acts.

New Testament Examples

In the New Testament, Jesus' miracles are central to His ministry and serve as evidence of His divine authority and identity as the Son of God. The Gospel of John refers to these miracles as "signs" that reveal Jesus' glory and lead to belief. For example, the miracle of turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:11) is described as the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

The healing of the man born blind in John 9 is another instance where a miracle leads to belief. After being healed, the man testifies to the Pharisees, ultimately declaring, "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing" (John 9:33). The miracle not only restores the man's sight but also opens his spiritual eyes to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:43-45 is perhaps one of the most compelling miracles, as it leads many Jews to believe in Jesus. The raising of Lazarus from the dead serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' authority over life and death, prompting many witnesses to put their faith in Him.

Apostolic Miracles

The apostles continued to perform miracles in the name of Jesus, further validating their message and mission. In Acts 3:6-8, Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate, resulting in amazement and wonder among the people. This miracle provides Peter the opportunity to preach the gospel, leading to the conversion of many (Acts 4:4).

Paul's ministry is also marked by miraculous events that confirm his apostolic authority. In Acts 14:8-10, Paul heals a man crippled from birth in Lystra, which leads the crowd to recognize the power of God working through him. Such miracles not only authenticate the apostles' message but also demonstrate the continued presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the early Church.

Purpose and Impact

The convincing effect of miracles in the Bible is multifaceted. They serve to authenticate the divine origin of a message, confirm the authority of God's messengers, and reveal God's power and compassion. Miracles often lead to faith and repentance, drawing individuals and communities closer to God. As signs of the divine, they point beyond themselves to the greater reality of God's kingdom and His redemptive work in the world.Exodus 4:28-31
And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
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Exodus 10:7,16,17
And Pharaoh's servants said to him, How long shall this man be a snare to us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: know you not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
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Exodus 12:31-33
And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said.
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Exodus 14:25,31
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drove them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.
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Judges 6:17-22,36-40
And he said to him, If now I have found grace in your sight, then show me a sign that you talk with me.
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Judges 7:1
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
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Daniel 3:28,29
Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
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Daniel 4:2,3
I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God has worked toward me.
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Luke 5:4-11
Now when he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
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John 2:11,22,23
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
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John 4:48-53
Then said Jesus to him, Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
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John 7:31
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?
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John 11:43-45
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
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John 12:10
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
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John 20:30,31
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
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Acts 8:6
And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
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Acts 9:32-42
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelled at Lydda.
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Acts 13:8-12
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
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Acts 19:13-18
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.
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Romans 15:18,19
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
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The Miracles
... natural power of the means which are employed for it; and what is not a miracle
is an effect, which does ... For His miracles being convincing, they should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

The Learned Pagans had Means and Opportunities of Informing ...
... lost, as many have been, the effect plainly evinces ... invested with the power of working
miracles, which was the most short and the most convincing argument that ...
/.../sect v the learned pagans.htm

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... did not prevent Jesus from working miracles, as disbelief ... the miracle of Jesus was
very convincing; for in the ... sin was a cause of which disease was the effect. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

The Third Essay in the Present Volume is by "The Rev. ...
... that we may trace the reason why Miracles, which would ... which in a long past age was
convincing, as made ... that age [67] , might have not only no effect, but even ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/iii the third essay in.htm

Patmos
... In order that the miracles and teachings of Jesus might be ... for himself in a clear
and convincing manner, and ... and candor that his words had a powerful effect. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 56 patmos.htm

The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
... in yourself there is no ability to effect what you are ... was still appealed to as the
convincing proof that ... therefore, that the power of working miracles was one ...
/.../v the first signthe marriage.htm

The Teacher Come from God and the Teacher from Jerusalem - Jesus ...
... really did occur, its impression and effect would be ... but its weak point; not its
convincing evidence, but its ... treating of, or contemplating the miracles of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the teacher come.htm

The Second Awakening.
... they had the same effect as miracles onunbelievers." They ... be preached and made effective
in convincing men and ... and feeling had the common effect of alienating ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence ...
... This, therefore, could not be the effect of any ... to no external proof, however convincing
they may ... credibility stands upon their alliance with other miracles. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i our first proposition.htm

Conclusion.
... less solely, for the purpose of convincing the onlookers ... existence and heat, so are
the miracles evidences that ... not clever sayings studied for effect, is the ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxvi conclusion.htm

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