Topical Bible: Miracles were Performed by the Power of God

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In the biblical narrative, miracles are extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in the natural world, demonstrating the power and presence of God. These acts serve as signs and wonders, affirming the authority of God's messengers and the truth of His word. The Bible presents numerous accounts of miracles, each underscoring the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over creation.

Old Testament Miracles

The Old Testament is replete with miraculous events that reveal God's power and His covenant 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. In Exodus 14:21-22 , it is written, "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."

Another significant miracle is the provision of manna in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 16:4 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day.'" This daily sustenance for the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the desert exemplifies God's care and provision.

The miracles performed by the prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, further illustrate God's power. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God answered by fire, is a notable example. In 1 Kings 18:38 , it states, "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."

New Testament Miracles

The New Testament continues to highlight the miraculous as a testament to God's power, particularly through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' miracles are central to His earthly ministry, serving as signs of His divine authority and compassion. The Gospel of John refers to these acts as "signs," emphasizing their purpose in revealing Jesus as the Messiah.

One of the most well-known miracles is the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. John 6:11 records, "Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated, as much as they wanted; and He did the same with the fish."

The healing miracles of Jesus also demonstrate His power over sickness and death. In Mark 5:41-42 , Jesus raises Jairus's daughter, saying, "'Talitha koum!' (which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!'). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around."

The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued to perform miracles in the early church, affirming the message of the Gospel. 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

Miracles in the Bible serve multiple purposes: they authenticate the messenger, confirm the message, and reveal God's character and kingdom. They are acts of divine compassion, meeting human needs and pointing to the ultimate restoration of creation. Through miracles, God demonstrates His power over nature, illness, and even death, affirming His sovereignty and the truth of His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 8:19
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he listened not to them; as the LORD had said.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
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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.
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Acts 19:11
And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Even Down to those Times Miracles were Performed by the Faithful.
... Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the ... manifestations of divine
and miraculous power continued to ... in this manner, and were strictly fulfilled ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii even down to those.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
... of beneficence to those on whom they were performed, and were ... his goodness in the
way of working miracles for the ... to ask help of him; whether they were poor or ...
/.../section iii answer to mr.htm

The Jew Continues his Discourse Thus: "How Should we Deem Him to ...
... [3244] He, indeed, manifested Himself among the Jews as the power of God, by the
miracles which He performed, which Celsus suspected were accomplished by ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter ix the jew continues.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... the sick, and the signs and wonders performed in the ... bodies of men, and they were
instantly healed ... the professing Christians would see more miracles of healings ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... that the miracles of the gospel were performed by a ... pretext for confounding the
Christian miracles with the ... might have convinced those who were acquainted with ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Celsus, Moreover, Unable to Resist the Miracles which Jesus is ...
... to the promise of Jesus, His disciples performed even greater works than these miracles
of Jesus ... blessed life with Him; and many, too, who were lame in ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii celsus moreover unable.htm

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... And then many of the miracles of our Saviour were performed for the purpose of showing
what power he had to protect his people from Satan, and the evil ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

The Miracles
... Jesus Christ performed miracles, then the apostles, and the first ... be judged by miracles,
but miracles by doctrine. There were two parties among those who heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

Miracles
... Neither were those feats of their real miracles, but only astonishing operations
performed by the agency and power of Satan and his instruments, by ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/4 miracles.htm

Miracles of Healing Unsolicited.
... mere instrument upon which his power plays a ... grouped this with the following miracles,
Jesus did as ... one of very peculiar circumstance"were performed upon the ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iv miracles of healing unsolicited.htm