Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, prophets are depicted as extraordinary individuals chosen by God to deliver His messages and execute His will. These prophets are often endowed with miraculous powers, serving as tangible evidence of their divine commission and authority. The role of a prophet extends beyond mere proclamation; it encompasses the demonstration of God's power through miraculous acts, which authenticate their message and mission.
Moses is one of the most prominent examples of a prophet endowed with miraculous power. Chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses performed numerous miracles, including the ten plagues (Exodus 7-12) and the parting of the Red Sea (
Exodus 14:21-22). These acts were not only signs of God's power but also served to establish Moses' authority as God's appointed leader. In
Exodus 4:21, the Lord instructs Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do."
Elijah is another prophet whose ministry was marked by miraculous events. He is perhaps best known for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where he called down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, demonstrating the power of the one true God (
1 Kings 18:36-38). Elijah's miracles also included the multiplication of the widow's oil and flour (
1 Kings 17:14-16) and the raising of the widow's son from the dead (
1 Kings 17:22).
Elisha, the successor of Elijah, continued this legacy of miraculous power. His ministry was characterized by numerous miracles, such as the purification of the waters of Jericho (
2 Kings 2:21-22), the multiplication of the widow's oil (
2 Kings 4:1-7), and the raising of the Shunammite's son (
2 Kings 4:32-35). Elisha's miracles served to confirm his role as a prophet and to demonstrate God's ongoing presence and power among His people.
Isaiah and
Jeremiah, while primarily known for their prophetic messages, also experienced miraculous signs. Isaiah's life was marked by the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow moving backward as a confirmation of God's promise to extend King Hezekiah's life (
Isaiah 38:7-8). Jeremiah, though not performing miracles in the traditional sense, was preserved through miraculous means, such as his deliverance from the cistern (
Jeremiah 38:6-13).
In the New Testament,
John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. While John did not perform miracles himself, his prophetic role was affirmed by Jesus, who said, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (
Matthew 11:11).
The ultimate fulfillment of the prophetic office is found in
Jesus Christ, who not only proclaimed the kingdom of God but also performed countless miracles, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and controlling nature. These acts were signs of His divine authority and identity as the Son of God.
Throughout Scripture, prophets endowed with miraculous power serve as instruments of God's revelation and as a testament to His sovereignty and intervention in human history. Their lives and ministries underscore the reality of God's active presence and His desire to communicate with and guide His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 4:1-4And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice: for they will say, The LORD has not appeared to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook1 Kings 17:23
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother: and Elijah said, See, your son lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 5:3-8
And she said to her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Critical and Historical Movement
... in the interpretation which the prophets put upon ... years been discovered to offer
extraordinary parallels to ... to a struggle which otherwise does often sadly lack ...
/.../chapter iv the critical and.htm
Extracts No. vi.
... be enjoyed equally as well, and often better, without ... men had entered into some very
extraordinary plot, and ... Messiah promised in the law and prophets, but that ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vi.htm
The Mystery
... v.15-17, "From the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone ... If at any time he was
told of any extraordinary thing to ... So also in c.48, "As often as any one who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm
part i
... God formed me of flesh and blood and endued me with a ... he is in you; but you will
not often at once ... The miraculous effect of the life-giving Cross upon our souls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm
part ii
... Church" that is, our forefathers, the prophets, Apostles, hierarchs ... He often enters
into our heart as an insolent ... Mary, with all virtues, and endued Her with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm
Resources
What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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