Have Miracles Ceased or are they still being performed today?
Here is what the Bible says:
Miracles Were Given To Confirm Truth:
God worked miracles thru men in times past to spread and confirm His truth. He did so with Moses (Ex. 4:1-8,
29-31). Moses spoke God's truth, and then God confirmed it with signs.
The miracles which Jesus performed were to confirm His Divinity, and His words as coming from the Father
(Mt. 11:2-5; Jn. 20:30-31).
The miracles that the apostles of the Lord performed were done for the same reasons (Mk. 16:17-20). Jesus
promised His apostles a 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 1:5). They would be guided into 'all truth' (Acts
16:13). They would receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). When the promise was fulfilled, they were able
to have the word be confirmed before others (Acts 2; Heb. 2:3-4).
Does Jesus have to return to the earth and perform miracles for us to believe that He raised the dead, gave
sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and healed the sick? Do the apostles have to come back and perform
miracles for us to believe their testimony about Christ? Once a thing is proved, it is forever proved, is it not?
We now have the evidence in writing -- the written word of God (Jn. 20:30-31). This is how God established
that we could have faith in Him and His Word (Rom. 10:17). And, His inspired written Word furnishes us
completely in all things that God wants us to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). If a person will not be convinced by God's
written word, how can he be convinced though one come back from the dead? (Lk. 16:19-31). Miracles have
fulfilled their scripture-revealed purpose. They are no longer needed to do the things which God had ordained
them to do.
The Means Of Men Obtaining Miraculous Power:
Miraculous power was bestowed upon men in the N.T. times by two means: 1) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts
2:4, 43); and, 2) Conferring by (the laying on of) the apostles' hands (Acts 8:14-18; 19:1-7).
The apostles of Christ were the only men upon whom the baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised. They were
the only men who actually received an overwhelming of God's power. All other men received limited power
from the apostles coming into physical contact with them. A solitary case mentioned in Acts 10 showed the
household of Cornelius receiving the miraculous power to speak in tongues, not by the apostles but directly
from God, as a sign of the Gentiles' acceptance into the realm of those who could believe and obey the gospel
and become Christians (Cf. Acts 11:15-18).
It is certainly obvious that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" was meant for those to whom it was promised. And,
it was never promised unto anyone else but the apostles. It is also obvious that this was a limited-time offer,
for Paul in Eph. 4:5 (over 20 yrs. later) wrote that there is only 'one' baptism. And, Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 3:21 that
baptism is in water. Thus there is no more Holy Spirit baptism by which men may receive power to perform
miracles.
Since the promise of H.S. baptism was fulfilled, and since the men unto whom it was promised are no longer
alive, then the means by which this power was conferred (laying on of apostles' hands) is no longer valid or
possible. The apostles being dead, they cannot pass on any measure of the Holy Spirit -- thus there is no
baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit in existence today. If there is, then it has to come about by some other
means than the scriptures have revealed. And that, my friends, would have to be proven.
That there were other men besides the apostles who could further impart these supernatural gifts which are
evidenced in Mk. 16:17-20, and delineated in 1 Cor. 12, is without scriptural proof. But, proof that the gifts of
the Holy Spirit could only be imparted by the apostles is found in Acts 8. Philip, a man full of the Holy Spirit,
could perform miracles (Acts 8:6) to confirm the words which he preached. But, it took the apostles Peter and
John to come from Jerusalem to impart the power of miracles to the new converts (Acts 8:14-18).
The Presence of Miraculous Power:
No one in their right mind can question the fact that miracles were performed in the New Testament times:
The lame were healed (Acts 3:7-8), the dead were raised (Acts 9:40-41; 20:9-12), and deadly occurrences
curtailed (Acts 28:5). Those upon whom the gifts of the Spirit were conferred could also speak in tongues,
prophesy, and discern spirits. But, So the same God who foretold the performing of miracles, also told of their
having been performed, and of their fulfillment and end according to His plan. This is in the Bible.
Yes, the apostles could perform miracles. Also, they could impart this miraculous power unto others. But,
those others upon whom they imparted the spiritual gifts could not themselves impart them to anyone. Thus
the age of spiritual gifts is long gone. That was God's will, and that was God's plan. It was and is a perfect,
heavenly plan which was completed as He saw fit. Can God work miracles thru men? - Yes! Does He choose
to do so today? - Not according to the scriptures, for that time and purpose was fulfilled.
The Counterfeiting Of Miraculous Power:
The apostle Paul warned the early Christians that miraculous power would be feigned, faked, and
counterfeited in order to deceive the simple. Hear him: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the
working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among
those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this
reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be
condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thes. 2:8-12)
The so-called miracles which are displayed today are nothing but mere imitations of the real ones from Bible
times. They, like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11) are only performing with lying wonders. They mostly take
advantage of human will-power (mind over matter) to suddenly empower one to get out of a wheel-chair and
walk. How many of these folks get to stay out of that wheel-chair?
The Bottom Line Is This:
We should and must be willing to accept the scriptures, and to examine and put to the test those who claim to
do what only the apostles were promised, or the first-century Christians were given. Put these spirits (people)
to the test (1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:2) and find out if they can really do the things they claim to do.
We personally challenge any person alive today who claims to be able to perform miracles like Christ and His
apostles, to put his actions where his mouth is. If he is truly God's servant, is really proclaiming God's word,
and affirms that he can work miracles, then there is no reason why God should not confirm his words by
miraculous signs, right? After all, that is what he believes and teaches, is it not?
We will provide for a place and an audience in which he may so do. Let him show before all men the truth of
his doctrine, and settle this matter once and for all. May God show His glory to all who are present, and may
His truth be magnified forever.
If you have a comment, question, or are willing to accept this challenge to perform real miracles in public,
please contact us at givemethebible@yahoo.com
Sam Csonka-Minister
Here is what the Bible says:
Miracles Were Given To Confirm Truth:
God worked miracles thru men in times past to spread and confirm His truth. He did so with Moses (Ex. 4:1-8,
29-31). Moses spoke God's truth, and then God confirmed it with signs.
The miracles which Jesus performed were to confirm His Divinity, and His words as coming from the Father
(Mt. 11:2-5; Jn. 20:30-31).
The miracles that the apostles of the Lord performed were done for the same reasons (Mk. 16:17-20). Jesus
promised His apostles a 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 1:5). They would be guided into 'all truth' (Acts
16:13). They would receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). When the promise was fulfilled, they were able
to have the word be confirmed before others (Acts 2; Heb. 2:3-4).
Does Jesus have to return to the earth and perform miracles for us to believe that He raised the dead, gave
sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and healed the sick? Do the apostles have to come back and perform
miracles for us to believe their testimony about Christ? Once a thing is proved, it is forever proved, is it not?
We now have the evidence in writing -- the written word of God (Jn. 20:30-31). This is how God established
that we could have faith in Him and His Word (Rom. 10:17). And, His inspired written Word furnishes us
completely in all things that God wants us to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). If a person will not be convinced by God's
written word, how can he be convinced though one come back from the dead? (Lk. 16:19-31). Miracles have
fulfilled their scripture-revealed purpose. They are no longer needed to do the things which God had ordained
them to do.
The Means Of Men Obtaining Miraculous Power:
Miraculous power was bestowed upon men in the N.T. times by two means: 1) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts
2:4, 43); and, 2) Conferring by (the laying on of) the apostles' hands (Acts 8:14-18; 19:1-7).
The apostles of Christ were the only men upon whom the baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised. They were
the only men who actually received an overwhelming of God's power. All other men received limited power
from the apostles coming into physical contact with them. A solitary case mentioned in Acts 10 showed the
household of Cornelius receiving the miraculous power to speak in tongues, not by the apostles but directly
from God, as a sign of the Gentiles' acceptance into the realm of those who could believe and obey the gospel
and become Christians (Cf. Acts 11:15-18).
It is certainly obvious that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" was meant for those to whom it was promised. And,
it was never promised unto anyone else but the apostles. It is also obvious that this was a limited-time offer,
for Paul in Eph. 4:5 (over 20 yrs. later) wrote that there is only 'one' baptism. And, Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 3:21 that
baptism is in water. Thus there is no more Holy Spirit baptism by which men may receive power to perform
miracles.
Since the promise of H.S. baptism was fulfilled, and since the men unto whom it was promised are no longer
alive, then the means by which this power was conferred (laying on of apostles' hands) is no longer valid or
possible. The apostles being dead, they cannot pass on any measure of the Holy Spirit -- thus there is no
baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit in existence today. If there is, then it has to come about by some other
means than the scriptures have revealed. And that, my friends, would have to be proven.
That there were other men besides the apostles who could further impart these supernatural gifts which are
evidenced in Mk. 16:17-20, and delineated in 1 Cor. 12, is without scriptural proof. But, proof that the gifts of
the Holy Spirit could only be imparted by the apostles is found in Acts 8. Philip, a man full of the Holy Spirit,
could perform miracles (Acts 8:6) to confirm the words which he preached. But, it took the apostles Peter and
John to come from Jerusalem to impart the power of miracles to the new converts (Acts 8:14-18).
The Presence of Miraculous Power:
No one in their right mind can question the fact that miracles were performed in the New Testament times:
The lame were healed (Acts 3:7-8), the dead were raised (Acts 9:40-41; 20:9-12), and deadly occurrences
curtailed (Acts 28:5). Those upon whom the gifts of the Spirit were conferred could also speak in tongues,
prophesy, and discern spirits. But, So the same God who foretold the performing of miracles, also told of their
having been performed, and of their fulfillment and end according to His plan. This is in the Bible.
Yes, the apostles could perform miracles. Also, they could impart this miraculous power unto others. But,
those others upon whom they imparted the spiritual gifts could not themselves impart them to anyone. Thus
the age of spiritual gifts is long gone. That was God's will, and that was God's plan. It was and is a perfect,
heavenly plan which was completed as He saw fit. Can God work miracles thru men? - Yes! Does He choose
to do so today? - Not according to the scriptures, for that time and purpose was fulfilled.
The Counterfeiting Of Miraculous Power:
The apostle Paul warned the early Christians that miraculous power would be feigned, faked, and
counterfeited in order to deceive the simple. Hear him: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the
working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among
those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this
reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be
condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thes. 2:8-12)
The so-called miracles which are displayed today are nothing but mere imitations of the real ones from Bible
times. They, like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11) are only performing with lying wonders. They mostly take
advantage of human will-power (mind over matter) to suddenly empower one to get out of a wheel-chair and
walk. How many of these folks get to stay out of that wheel-chair?
The Bottom Line Is This:
We should and must be willing to accept the scriptures, and to examine and put to the test those who claim to
do what only the apostles were promised, or the first-century Christians were given. Put these spirits (people)
to the test (1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:2) and find out if they can really do the things they claim to do.
We personally challenge any person alive today who claims to be able to perform miracles like Christ and His
apostles, to put his actions where his mouth is. If he is truly God's servant, is really proclaiming God's word,
and affirms that he can work miracles, then there is no reason why God should not confirm his words by
miraculous signs, right? After all, that is what he believes and teaches, is it not?
We will provide for a place and an audience in which he may so do. Let him show before all men the truth of
his doctrine, and settle this matter once and for all. May God show His glory to all who are present, and may
His truth be magnified forever.
If you have a comment, question, or are willing to accept this challenge to perform real miracles in public,
please contact us at givemethebible@yahoo.com
Sam Csonka-Minister
| Miracles? "And You Shall Know the truth and the truth shall make you free" John 8:32 |
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