Where
In The Bible Will I Find:
That
Miracles Are Being Performed Today?
During the earthly ministry of Jesus and the
apostles, they did not have the Bible as we have it today. The Jews had the
writings of Moses and the prophets, but there was not anything written for the
Christian to go by. Miracles played an important part in identifying Jesus, and
in confirming His words (John 2:23).
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, He
sent the apostles "into all the world to preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16: 15, 16). The Lord then
promised He would be with them, even to the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). And
He was with them confirming the word with signs and wonders (Mark 16:20).
As the apostles had no Bible to confirm their
word, they had to use their power to perform miracles to prove that they were
preaching the Word of God (Heb. 2:4). Jesus gave the apostles power to perform
these miracles, and the apostles could pass these along to others, but those
who received this power from the apostles could not pass them on to anyone
else.
Philip went to Samaria, preached Christ, and
people obeyed the gospel, "hearing and seeing the miracles which he
did." But the church at Jerusalem dispatched two apostles, Peter and
John, to impart spiritual gifts. "Then laid they their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:17). Philip had power to
work miracles, but he could not impart that gift to others.
The gifts of the Spirit were given in parts (I
Cor. 12:8‑10), and Paul said these would be done away, "But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be put
away" (I Cor. 13:10). That which is perfect did come, it is the Bible.
So there is no more need for miracles in confirming the word as we have God's
Words written in the Bible. Miracles served their purpose before the writing of
the New Testament. So all miracles from God have ceased and none are being
performed today.
