Definition and Nature
Miracles, often referred to as "marvelous works," are extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in the natural order. In the biblical context, miracles serve as signs of God's power, authority, and presence. They are acts that transcend human understanding and natural laws, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over creation.

Old Testament Miracles
The Old Testament is replete with accounts of miraculous events that reveal God's covenantal relationship with His people. One of the earliest recorded miracles is the parting of the Red Sea, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 14:21-22). Another significant miracle is the provision of manna in the wilderness, sustaining the Israelites during their 40-year journey (Exodus 16:14-15).

Miracles in the Old Testament often served as signs of God's faithfulness and power. The prophet Elijah, for example, performed miracles such as the multiplication of the widow's oil and flour (1 Kings 17:14-16) and the raising of the widow's son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22). These acts affirmed God's provision and authority.

New Testament Miracles
The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate miracle worker, whose life and ministry were marked by numerous miraculous events. Jesus' miracles authenticated His divine nature and messianic mission. The Gospels record various miracles, including the healing of the sick, the casting out of demons, and the raising of the dead. One of the most notable miracles is the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a multitude (Matthew 14:19-21).

The resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle of New Testament miracles, signifying victory over sin and death. This event is central to Christian faith, as it confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the promise of eternal life for believers (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Purpose and Significance
Miracles in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They are signs that point to the truth of God's word and the authenticity of His messengers. In the ministry of Jesus, miracles were acts of compassion that revealed the character of God and His kingdom. They also served as a foretaste of the restoration and healing that will be fully realized in the eschaton.

Furthermore, miracles are a testament to God's power and authority over creation. They challenge human understanding and invite faith in God's ability to intervene in the world. As recorded in the Gospel of John, the purpose of Jesus' miracles was to inspire belief: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).

Miracles in the Early Church
The Acts of the Apostles documents the continuation of miraculous works through the early church. The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, performed signs and wonders that confirmed their message and expanded the reach of the Gospel. Notable miracles include Peter's healing of the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:6-8) and Paul's raising of Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:9-10).

These miracles served to validate the apostolic witness and demonstrate the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. They also underscored the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of individuals and communities.

Theological Reflections
From a theological perspective, miracles are not merely supernatural events but are deeply connected to God's redemptive purposes. They reveal God's character, His compassion, and His desire to restore creation. Miracles invite believers to trust in God's power and to anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

In the biblical narrative, miracles are not ends in themselves but are signs pointing to a greater reality—the kingdom of God. They call for a response of faith and obedience, challenging believers to live in light of God's miraculous intervention in history.Isaiah 29:14
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 105:5
Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Nave's Topical Index

1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous
works. ... 1), mightily (1), mighty (1), miracle (2), miracles (17), miraculous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1411.htm - 8k6381. pala -- to be surpassing or extraordinary
... a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular,
(be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things ...
/hebrew/6381.htm - 6k

Whether Demons Can Lead Men Astray by Means of Real Miracles?
... It is to be noted, however, that although these works of demons which appear marvelous
to us are not real miracles, they are sometimes nevertheless something ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether demons can lead men.htm

The Mythical Hypothesis of Strauss.
... kingdom of truth and righteousness, but marvelous works, which are ... person is to believe
in his works, just as ... To deny the possibility of miracles is to deny ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/the mythical hypothesis of strauss.htm

Christianity a Light.
... flesh he could be seen and his marvelous works witnessed by ... himself to the world
as he works in the ... both with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

Priestly Plottings
... The miracles He performed on the Sabbath were all for the relief of the ... it was their
fixed determination to silence Him who did such marvelous works that all ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 59 priestly plottings.htm

Narrative Concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
... when he heard of the name of Jesus, and of his miracles, which were ... also many other
inhabitants of the city, and did wonders and marvelous works, and preached ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii narrative concerning the prince.htm

Jesus visits Nazareth and is Rejected.
... of a marvelous fact. Miracles are not explained in the Bible.] ^b 5 And he could
there do no mighty work, ^a 58 And he did not many mighty works there because ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lx jesus visits nazareth and.htm

Whether by Being Sanctified in the Womb the Blessed virgin was ...
... of miracles, was troubled in mind": that is to say, on the one side seeing Him suffer
such humiliation, and on the other considering His marvelous works. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether by being sanctified in.htm

Four Miracles
... lingering at times to apprehend the marvelous force of ... Four striking works follow
each other without a break, and it ... the bearing of these four miracles on each ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 39 5 15 5 31 5 41.htm

And Now the Time is Come for us to Consider the Works of Our ...
... any one inquire the nature of these works, let him ... advent the manner of his life,
his miracles, and words ... How marvelous his predictions of the future, and the ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvii and now the.htm

Our Task
... can authenticate himself as sent from God by works which no ... brings before us a great
mass of marvelous legends. ... same is also the case with the miracles of Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/i our task.htm

What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

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