Topical Bible: Miracles: Through the Power of God

◄ Miracles: Through the Power of God ►

Jump to: Nave's • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature of Miracles

Miracles, as understood within the biblical context, are extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in the natural order. They are acts of God that transcend human understanding and capability, serving as signs of His power, presence, and purpose. The Bible presents miracles as a testament to God's sovereignty and a means to authenticate His messengers and their message.

Old Testament Miracles

The Old Testament is replete with accounts of miracles that demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people. One of the earliest recorded miracles is the parting of the Red Sea, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. As described in Exodus 14:21-22 , "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."

Other significant Old Testament miracles include the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:14-15), the stopping of the sun and moon in the battle of Gibeon (Joshua 10:12-14), and the miraculous healing of Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:14). These events underscore God's direct involvement in the lives of His people and His ability to alter natural laws for His purposes.

New Testament Miracles

The New Testament continues the theme of divine intervention, with Jesus Christ as the central figure through whom God's miraculous power is most vividly displayed. The miracles of Jesus serve as a testament to His divine nature and messianic mission. In John 2:11 , the turning of water into wine at Cana is described as "the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

Jesus' miracles include healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons, each demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual realms. Notable examples include the healing of the blind man (John 9:6-7), the raising of Lazarus (John 11:43-44), and the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:19-21). These acts not only reveal His compassion but also affirm His identity as the Son of God.

The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued to perform miracles in the early church, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 3:6-7 recounts Peter healing a lame man: "But Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!' Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong."

Purpose and Significance of Miracles

Miracles in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They are signs that point to the truth of God's revelation and the authenticity of His messengers. In John 20:30-31 , the apostle John writes, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

Furthermore, miracles are expressions of God's compassion and care for humanity, often meeting immediate physical needs while pointing to deeper spiritual truths. They also serve as a foretaste of the coming Kingdom of God, where the brokenness of the world will be fully restored.

Theological Implications

The occurrence of miracles underscores the biblical worldview that God is actively involved in His creation. They challenge the naturalistic assumptions that deny the possibility of divine intervention. For believers, miracles are a source of hope and assurance that God is both willing and able to intervene in human history for His glory and the good of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 14:3
Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 19:11
And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... "Power through God's ability" (1411 ) is needed in every ... from dunamai Definition
(miraculous) power, might, strength ... 1), miracle (2), miracles (17), miraculous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1411.htm - 8k

484. antilempsis -- a laying hold of, help
... God's bringing His helps of grace and power to meet someone's need, through a person ...
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/484.htm - 7k

Library

Plagiarism by the Greeks of the Miracles Related in the Sacred ...
... Chapter III."Plagiarism by the Greeks of the Miracles Related in ... mythology the marvels
found in our records, wrought through divine power from above ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii plagiarism by the greeks.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... However, we are not to conclude that such miracles cannot be performed
through the power of prayer in this age and generation. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... as the church of Christ has been, all through her history ... saints; I say it is a thousand
thousand miracles that the ... She has the power of God within her, or else ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm

Synopsis. --Biblical Miracles the Effluence of Extraordinary Lives ...
... being of one substance with the Father; through whom [or ... How superficial the notion
of miracles as "the personal ... is simply a higher or a stronger power of life ...
/.../v synopsis biblical miracles the effluence.htm

How Germanus the Bishop, Sailing into Britain with Lupus, First ...
... of their preaching and miracles; and the Word of God was by ... learning through the
study of letters, and the power of working miracles through their merits. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xvii how germanus the.htm

What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles
... and to authenticate himself by incomparable miracles; "With an ... to his mighty deeds
because through them their ... the people by showing himself in power; to summon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/ii what jesus says of.htm

Jod.
... Since, if the creative [5230] power of God be ... turn, and who know the testimonies
of God, so long ... a little before displayed in His presence through miracles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/jod.htm

The Praying that Glorifies God
... courage they had to witness for Him, the miracles performed in ... endured for His sake,
were living testimonies of the power received through the fervent ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 4 the praying that.htm

Ephesus
... As these miracles were wrought in the name of ... Through spiritualism many of the sick,
the bereaved, the ... God, there Satan is exercising his bewitching power. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 27 ephesus.htm

The Revelation to which the Scripture of the Old Testament Owes ...
... word in the burning bush and then the passage through the Red ... to use men as instruments
in the performance of miracles, it is ... The power proceeds from God alone ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiv the revelation to which.htm