Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature of MiraclesMiracles are extraordinary events that manifest the power and presence of God, transcending natural laws and human understanding. They serve as signs and wonders, revealing God's sovereignty, compassion, and divine intervention in the world. The term "miracle" is derived from the Latin "miraculum," meaning "a wonder" or "something to be marveled at." In the biblical context, miracles are acts of God that confirm His message and messengers, demonstrating His authority over creation. Old Testament Miracles The Old Testament is replete with accounts of miraculous events that underscore 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: "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" (Exodus 14:21). This event not only demonstrated God's power but also His faithfulness to His promises. Miracles in the Old Testament often served to authenticate the prophets and leaders chosen by God. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a prime example: "Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench" (1 Kings 18:38). Such acts confirmed Elijah's role as a true prophet of God and called the people back to worship the LORD. New Testament Miracles The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate miracle worker, whose life and ministry were marked by numerous miraculous acts. These miracles served to validate His divine nature and messianic mission. Jesus' first recorded miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, revealed His glory and led His disciples to believe in Him: "This, the first of His signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him" (John 2:11). The Gospels recount various miracles performed by Jesus, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. These acts of compassion and power demonstrated His authority over both the physical and spiritual realms. One notable miracle is the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a multitude: "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people" (Mark 6:41). The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the pinnacle of New Testament miracles, affirming His victory over sin and death. The Apostle Paul emphasizes its significance: "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing hope and assurance of eternal life. Miracles in the Early Church The Acts of the Apostles records the continuation of miraculous works through the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The apostles performed signs and wonders that confirmed their message and expanded the reach of the Gospel. Peter's healing of the lame man at the temple gate is one such example: "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!'" (Acts 3:6). Miracles in the early church served to authenticate the apostles' teaching and to demonstrate the presence of the Holy Spirit. They were instrumental in the rapid growth of the Christian community and the spread of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Purpose and Significance of Miracles Miracles in the Bible serve multiple purposes: they confirm the divine origin of God's message, demonstrate His compassion and care for humanity, and provide a foretaste of the coming Kingdom of God. They are not merely displays of power but are deeply connected to God's redemptive plan for creation. As signs, they point beyond themselves to the greater reality of God's presence and activity in the world. The biblical record of miracles invites believers to trust in God's power and to recognize His ongoing work in the world. While miracles are extraordinary, they remind us of the ordinary means by which God sustains and governs His creation, calling us to live in faith and expectation of His continued intervention in human history. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 9:3Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Whether Christ Should have Worked Miracles? Why Miracles are not Usual Works. Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles? Other Clear Prophecies of the Coming of God in the Flesh. Christ's ... Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Men? Miracles of Healing Unsolicited. What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles Miracles The True vision of God But after This, Celsus, Having a Suspicion that the Great Works ... Resources What does it mean that God is a God of miracles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual gift of miracles? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about demonic/satanic miracles? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit of Different Kinds Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Despised Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Neglected Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Purchased Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were to be Sought After Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Christ Was Endued With Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated by the Laying on of the Apostles' Hands Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Confirmation of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Edification of the Church Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated: Upon the Preaching of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Counterfeited by Antichrist Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Dispensed According to his Sovereign Will Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Enumerated Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Foretold Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Temporary Nature of Related Terms |
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