In the biblical narrative, miracles are extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in human affairs. These acts of God often serve as signs to authenticate His messengers and to reveal His power and glory. A recurring theme in Scripture is the necessity of faith in those for whom miracles are performed. Faith is not merely a passive belief but an active trust and reliance on God’s power and promises.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, faith is a critical component in the performance of miracles. One notable example is the account of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, who was healed of leprosy. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman is instructed by the prophet Elisha to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Initially resistant, Naaman's eventual obedience, prompted by faith, results in his miraculous healing: "So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14).

New Testament Examples

The New Testament further emphasizes the necessity of faith in the context of miracles. Jesus often highlighted the faith of individuals as a prerequisite for miraculous healing. In the Gospel of Matthew, a centurion approaches Jesus, seeking healing for his servant. Jesus commends the centurion’s faith, saying, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10). The servant is healed at that very moment, underscoring the centurion’s faith as instrumental in the miracle.

Similarly, in the account of the woman with the issue of blood, her faith is pivotal. She believes that merely touching the hem of Jesus’ garment will heal her. Jesus acknowledges her faith, saying, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction" (Mark 5:34).

Faith and Unbelief

Conversely, the absence of faith can hinder the performance of miracles. In Mark 6:5-6, Jesus visits His hometown of Nazareth, where He encounters widespread unbelief. The text notes, "He could not do any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief" (Mark 6:5-6). This passage illustrates how unbelief can limit the manifestation of divine power.

Faith as a Catalyst

Faith acts as a catalyst for divine action, aligning the believer’s will with God’s purposes. In the healing of the paralytic, Jesus perceives the faith of those who brought the man to Him. He declares, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5), and subsequently heals the man, demonstrating that faith can transcend physical healing to address spiritual needs.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, faith is consistently portrayed as a vital element in the performance of miracles. It is the conduit through which individuals receive God’s intervention, and it often determines the extent to which divine power is manifested in their lives. The biblical accounts underscore that faith is not merely a prerequisite for receiving miracles but is integral to the believer’s relationship with God, shaping their understanding and experience of His miraculous works.Matthew 9:28
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, Believe you that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 13:58
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 9:22-24
And often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 14:9
The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Miracles Granted to the Prayer of Friends.
... an awful rebuke to the man, if he required it still ... He cared more for his faith than
his sight. ... These last miracles are especially full of symbolism and analogy ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vi miracles granted to the.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... as to come; we are baptized into the faith of the ... ashamed of the gospel of Christ."
It required boldness to ... The fame of his miracles must have spread far and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Rejection of Errors
... glory, but are conditions which, being required beforehand, were ... of grace which is
necessary for faith and conversion ... If the miracles that were performed in you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... I come now to the second group of miracles, those granted to the ... of evaporating in
words; and that the Lord required silence of ... Go thy way; thy faith hath made ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

The Second Sign in Galilee.
... He had to bestow, and that a faith which required to be ... more patently in Himself
than in His miracles, are those ... But the lower kind of faith may be a step to ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xi the second sign in.htm

On the Authority and Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures
... 9.) (iii.) The manner in which they are required to be ... their mouths, is the Author
of that faith by which ... contained in these books, of the miracles which were ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 1 on the authority.htm

Acts III
... enough, we, too, could work miracles, has as ... naturally and safely, in omitting mention
of faith. ... Likewise, when Peter required those on Pentecost to repent and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

What we Can Say on the Historicity of the Miracles of Jesus
... assist in such a condition the little faith of his ... If therefore, the greatest caution
is required when, according ... Here, as we have seen, the miracles of Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/iii what we can say.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... come and follow Him; and yet when required to tell ... on those objects which it sees,
faith can rest ... 3] During His public ministry He performed miracles such as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... the Churches established in the faith, and increased ... themselves to that burdensome
ceremonial, they were required only to ... Apostolic age was an age of miracles. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.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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