The Holy Spirit and Miraculous Powers

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MIRACULOUS POWERS

By:  Randy Kea

 

What was the purpose of the miraculous signs and wonders present in the first century church?

The design and purpose of miracles was confirmation and verification.  This purpose is stated in at least two passages in the New Testament.  In Mark 16:20 we read, “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming (proved, verified) the word that was being proclaimed.”  The parallel passage is Hebrews 2:1-4 where the exact purpose is stated again.  We further note in I Thessalonians 1:5 which reads, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”

None of these folks today, who claim miraculous powers, can perform a legitimate miracle.  This is the difference between them and Paul.  They come to us with word only (claims).  Paul preached with words and power.  Paul not only preached, he “demonstrated” his power (I Corinthians 2:4).  The powers were used to confirm the divine origin of the word of God, not to heal any and everybody.  Paul left Trophimus sick at Miletum (II Timothy 4:20).  Why did he not heal him?  It was not the design of miracles to heal everyone, but to verify the preaching of the Gospel (Mark 16:20, Hebrews 2:3-4).  There is no present-day revelation from God (Jude 3; Galatians 1:6-9).  Thus, no confirmation is needed today.  The Bible itself possesses characteristics that make it self-authenticating.

What was the nature of miracles in the New Testament in the first century?

The miraculous healings in the Bible involved organic diseases or injuries, not functional or emotional disorders.  Internal disorders (unseen to the naked eye) were not the examples of miraculous healing in the Scriptures.  Further, Jesus and the apostles did not “screen” those who came to be healed like the fakers do today to avoid a real test of powers.  Carefully note these characteristics of Bible miraculous healing:

• The healing was “immediate” (Acts 3:7, 9, 34).
• There were no exceptions after the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism.  They healed “everyone” (Acts 5:12-16).
• The healing was complete, whole, and perfect (Acts 4:9; Matthew 12:13).
• No healing services were announced.  No special time was set aside for such exercise of divine power and even Christ himself shunned publicity associated with these deeds.
• The reality of healing was even acknowledged by enemies of Christianity (Acts 4:16).
• The disorders were of an external nature so as to have no question involved with reference to the reality of the miracle:  blindness (Matthew 9:27-31); leper (Luke 17:11-19); bleeding (Matthew 9:20); poison (Mark 16:17-20); halt and maimed (Matthew 15:30); dead raised (Acts 9:37-42); lame (Acts 3:1-10); withered hand (Matthew 12:10); “every sickness” (Acts 5:12-16).

To claim Holy Spirit baptism today is to claim power of this nature and magnitude.  Remember the Bible itself warns of many who would claim to have what the apostles had.  Paul said such were “false prophets” and “deceitful workers” (II Corinthians 11:13-15).  They did not truly possess the “signs of an apostle” (II Corinthians 12:12).  The church at Ephesus was commended because they “tried” (put them to the test) such people and found them “liars” (Revelation 2:1-2).  Paul also warned of one who would state “lying wonders” (false prophets) (II Thessalonians 2:3-14).

Sadly, many honest and sincere people are still being deceived.  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits . . . because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1).