Topical Bible: Power of Christ: Performing Miracles

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The power of Christ, particularly as demonstrated through His miracles, is a central theme in the New Testament, showcasing His divine authority and compassion. The miracles of Jesus serve as a testament to His identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and revealing the Kingdom of God.

Nature and Purpose of Miracles

The miracles performed by Jesus are diverse, encompassing healings, exorcisms, control over nature, and even raising the dead. These acts are not merely displays of supernatural power but are deeply symbolic, pointing to spiritual truths and the inbreaking of God's kingdom. They serve to authenticate His divine mission and authority, as seen in John 10:37-38 : "If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father."

Healing Miracles

Jesus' healing miracles are numerous and varied, demonstrating His compassion and authority over physical ailments. In Matthew 8:16-17 , it is recorded: "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'" These acts of healing not only restored individuals to health but also symbolized the restoration of humanity to wholeness through Christ.

Exorcisms

The casting out of demons is another significant aspect of Christ's miraculous ministry, illustrating His power over the spiritual realm. In Mark 1:27 , the people are amazed and say, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." These exorcisms demonstrate the defeat of evil and the establishment of God's reign over all creation.

Miracles Over Nature

Jesus' control over nature further underscores His divine authority. The calming of the storm in Mark 4:39-41 is a prime example: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. 'Why are you so afraid?' He asked. 'Do you still have no faith?' Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, 'Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'" Such miracles reveal Jesus as the Lord of creation, echoing the creative power of God in Genesis.

Raising the Dead

Perhaps the most profound demonstrations of Christ's power are the instances where He raises the dead, prefiguring His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life. In John 11:25-26 , Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" The raising of Lazarus, Jairus' daughter, and the widow's son at Nain are powerful affirmations of His victory over death.

Significance for Believers

The miracles of Christ are not only historical events but also carry profound theological significance for believers. They affirm Jesus' identity as the Messiah and the Son of God, inviting faith and trust in His redemptive work. As recorded in John 20:30-31 , "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."

Through His miracles, Jesus reveals the heart of God, characterized by compassion, mercy, and the desire to restore creation. They are a foretaste of the ultimate restoration that will be fully realized in the new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more suffering, pain, or death.

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Matthew 8:27
But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
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Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
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Library

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... the next place, among the miracles of Christ, we find ... was on earth, has just the
same power now to ... the third place, we see Jesus performing miracles to teach ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

The First Period. Ch. 4:14-44
... have enjoyed the best opportunities for knowing Christ often reject ... the grace of
his ministry but its universal power. ... 2. Jesus Performing Miracles at Capernaum ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first period ch.htm

On the Person of the Father and the Son
... all things by the word of his power." (Hebrews 1:3 ... and I work." (John 5:17.) (3.)
The performing of miracles ... to "have received of the things of Christ, by which ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 5 on the person.htm

Christ the Great Teacher.
... second year of His ministry, Jesus was performing many miracles ... among the people
as to whether He was the Christ. ... majesty as a teacher, and of His power over men ...
/.../vi christ the great teacher.htm

"Lazarus, Come Forth"
... They accused Him of performing miracles by the power of Satan. But here Christ claims
God as His Father, and with perfect confidence declares that He is the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 58 lazarus come forth.htm

Miracles.
... over Nature.[5] The faculty of performing miracles was regarded ... a solace which it
was in his power to bestow ... if we trace the character of Christ only according ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xvi miracles.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... have been performed in their presence; and a power has been ... demons, and in a word,
of performing all the wonders, which are related of Christ and his ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Concerning the Energies in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
... Christ, then, energises according to both His natures [2157] and ... in communion with
the other, the Word performing through the authority and power of its ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xv concerning the energies in.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... short: after his rise to full power only forty ... of Perdition." He will pose as the
Christ of God and will substantiate his claims by performing wonderful miracles ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... that nothing pertaining to the church of Christ is more ... "And with great power gave
the ... prayer places preaching the Word first before the performing of miracles ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm