Nature of miracles

Miracles demonstrate God’s greatness and power

Psalm 77:14 KJV 1900

Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

See also Ex 14:30–31; Ex 34:10; Dt 3:24; 1 Ki 18:37–39; Job 5:9; Ps 78:4; Lk 9:42–43

Miracles bringing God’s judgment

Leviticus 10:1–2 KJV 1900

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

See also Ge 19:24–26; Nu 12:10; Nu 16:31–35; 1 Ki 13:4–5; 2 Ki 1:9–12; 2 Ch 26:19–20; Ac 5:5; Ac 5:10; Ac 13:11

Miracles which meet human need

The provision of food and water

Exodus 17:6 KJV 1900

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

See also Ex 15:25; Nu 11:31–32; Nu 20:10–11; Jdg 15:18–19; 1 Ki 17:5–6; 1 Ki 17:8–16; 2 Ki 2:19–22; 2 Ki 4:42–44; Mt 14:15–21; Mk 8:1–10

Healing

Acts 5:16 KJV 1900

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

See also Nu 21:6–9; 2 Ki 5:1–14; Lk 9:6; Ac 3:1–10; Ac 9:33–34; Ac 28:7–9

Exorcism

Acts 16:18 KJV 1900

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

See also Mk 6:13; Mk 9:38; Lk 10:17; Ac 8:7

The raising of the dead

John 11:38–44 KJV 1900

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

See also 1 Ki 17:17–24; 2 Ki 4:32–37; 2 Ki 13:21; Ac 9:36–41; Ac 20:9–12

Miraculous births

Genesis 18:10–14 KJV 1900

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

See also Jdg 13:2–3; 1 Sa 1:20; 2 Ki 4:14–17; Lk 1:34–37

Miracles involving military victory

2 Chronicles 32:21 KJV 1900

And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

See also Ex 12:29–36; Ex 14:26–28; Jos 10:12–14; 1 Sa 7:10–12; 2 Ki 6:18–23; 2 Ch 20:22–26

Miraculous help in trouble

Daniel 6:27 KJV 1900

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

See also Ps 91:11–12; Da 3:19–27; Da 6:19–23; Mt 8:23–27; Ac 12:6–11; Ac 16:25–26

Gifts of supernatural strength

Judges 14:5–6 KJV 1900

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

See also Jdg 14:19; Jdg 15:14–16; Jdg 16:26–30; 1 Ki 18:46

Nature miracles

2 Kings 2:7–8 KJV 1900

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

See also Ex 10:13–23; Ex 14:15–22; Jos 3:14–17; 2 Ki 2:13–14; Mt 21:18–22; Jn 2:1–11

Miracles are part of God’s plan of redemption

2 Samuel 7:23 KJV 1900

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

See also Mk 16:17–18; Ac 2:22–24; Ac 14:3; Heb 2:3–4

Miracles occur at times of special significance

At the time of the exodus

Ex 3:2–3; Ex 7:3–4; Ex 16:11–15; Ex 17:6–7; Nu 17:8; Dt 4:34

At times of national religious crisis

1 Ki 18:30–39; 2 Ki 3:16–25; 2 Ki 4:3–7; 2 Ki 4:40–41; 2 Ki 6:5–7

In the time of Jesus Christ

Mt 14:15–21; Mt 20:29–34; Jn 11:38–44

In the time of the first Christians

Lk 10:17; Ac 8:6; Ac 8:13; Ac 14:8–10; Ac 14:19–20; Ac 19:11–12

Miracles are God’s gift

They authenticate the message of his servants

John 10:38 KJV 1900

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

See also Ex 4:30–31; Mt 11:2–5; Mk 9:39; Mk 16:20; Jn 14:11; 2 Co 12:12

They are given by God’s sovereign will

1 Corinthians 12:8–11 KJV 1900

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

See also Mt 10:1; 1 Co 12:28–30; Ga 3:5

Miracles are not in themselves proof of God’s work

They are no guarantee of genuine faith

Matthew 7:22–23 KJV 1900

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

See also Lk 16:27–31; Jn 2:23–24; 1 Co 13:1–2

They can be counterfeited

Matthew 24:24 KJV 1900

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

See also Ex 7:11–12; Ex 7:22; Ex 8:7; Ac 8:9–11; 2 Th 2:9; Re 13:13; Re 16:14; Re 19:20