CAN I BE SURE ABOUT THE BIBLE?
WHAT ABOUT MIRACLES, FAITH HEALING and SPEAKING IN TONGUES?
part I
Have miracles ceased? The word miracle is one which has been used and misused by many in our society today. "It's a miracle!" is a phrase used in nearly any exciting sporting event. The birth of a child is often referred to as a miracle. A man walks away unhurt after a fiery automobile accident- family and friends call his survival a miracle. Someone with terminal cancer, or an inoperable brain tumor suddenly goes into remission and fully recovers- "It's a miracle!" they exclaim. Anything not easily explained is often referred to as a miracle. The word is used so often and in so many different ways that its true meaning has become obscured.
********** WHAT IS A MIRACLE? **********
Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary aptly describes a miracle as "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." Alan Highers, moderator of the Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship's Open Forum described a miracle as "an event that is above natural law." Note his use of the word "above" in conjunction with Webster's definition. Brother Robert R. Taylor Jr. expanded Highers' definition by saying "Bible miracles were above and beyond natural law; they were supernatural; they constituted God's stepping into the picture and performing what natural law would not and could not produce."
Many have attempted to disregard the miracles of the Bible or explain them by natural means. Unfortunately, many Christians seem ashamed that they believe in miracles and often downplay them in the historical Biblical record. Some try to explain them away, trying to appease those who have no interest in the Bible to begin with, and so as to not appear as being a bunch of backwards, ignorant, superstitious jug heads. Bert Thompson said it as well as anyone when he said "Folks, miracles are not warts or growths that you can somehow just shave off the gospel record leaving the remainder intact. They were integral parts of what God was trying to get across <to man>."
Let's look at the Bible and some miracles recorded therein, and then compare them with so-called modern-day "miracles."
1) What is the first miracle recorded in the Bible? Genesis 1:1
2a) What miracles were recorded in Exodus chapters 7-12?
2b) What was their purpose? Exodus 4:5,29-31; 7:3-5
3) Has anything of this magnitude ever been done in modern times?
4) What miracle took place in II Kings 5:1-14?
5) What miracle is foretold in Isaiah 7:14?
6) When was it fulfilled?
7) What was Jesus' first miracle? John 2:1-11
8) What was the purpose of Jesus' miracles? John 2:11, Acts 2:22
9) What was Nicodemus' reaction to Jesus' miracles? John 3:1-2
10) What was Jesus' greatest miracle? John 10:17-18
11) Why are Jesus' miracles recorded? John 20:30-31
********** MODERN-DAY "MIRACLES" **********
Almost all modern "miracles" are confined to the realm of healing the sick. Faith healers peddle their goods on television, radio, and in public meetings all over the world. Are these men for real? Let's look at some of the claims of modern miracle workers.
During a 1974 debate with a fellow named Ben Franklin in Gasden, AL, brother Guy N. Woods challenged Franklin to heal two men in the audience: Flavil Nichols, who was on crutches due to a leg injury, and L.E. Wright, who had only one arm. Needless to say, both men left the building in the same physical condition in which they came!
A so-called healing group set up a tent for services near a large hospital in Mississippi but failed to cure a single patient! Another incident occurred in Texas when a storm destroyed a healing tent ministry. Many people were injured in the storm and the "healer" left town without so much as healing a paper cut.
Without fail, every time someone leaves a faith healing service unhealed, the statement is made, "Your lack of faith made it impossible to heal you." Notwithstanding the fact that the person had made a special effort (requiring faith) to be present at the service!
There is only one incident recorded in the Bible where a lack of faith made healing impossible. It is found in two of the gospels in Matthew 17:14-21, and Mark 9:14-29.
1) Who needed healing?
2) What was his problem?
3) Who brought him to Jesus?
4) Why did he bring him to Jesus to be healed?
5) Did he have faith?
6) Is there any indication that the one to be healed had faith?
7) Whose faith was insufficient in this story?
Another story in the Bible which dispels the "lack of faith" excuse is found in Matthew 8:5-10 and Luke 7:1-10.
1) Who needed to be healed?
2) Was he brought to Jesus?
3) Did Jesus go to him?
4) Is there any indication that the one to be healed even knew who Jesus was?
Finally, let's look at the purpose of biblical miracles versus the modern-day pretenders.
1) What does Mark 16:15-20 say about the purpose of miracles?
2) What does Hebrews 2:1-4 say about signs, wonders, and miracles?
3) What miracle was performed by God at the hands of Paul in Acts 13:6-12 and for what purpose?
4) In what two ways was miraculous power bestowed upon men in the 1st century? Acts 2:1-4,43; 10:44-45; Acts 6:1-7; 8:5-19
5) What does I Corinthians 13:8-13 and Ephesians 4:8-13 say about the duration of miracles?
6) How does this relate with II Timothy 3:14-17 and II Peter 1:3?