Knowing More About

Knowing More About . . . TRUE MIRACLES

Many religions claim to have miracles. Many say that their miracles show that God is with them, proving their teachings true. The problem is that these religions are different and oppose each other. People are confused. They ask, "Is God giving teachings that are working against each other?" They also ask, "What is a true sign from God?"

One who seeks the answer for this question should study the miracles described by Scripture. Some people call almost anything good or amazing a "miracle." Because God is who He is, everything He does is powerful, wonderful and good (James 1:17). However God in Scriptures does not call everything He does a "miracle" or a "sign." Think about God's work through Jesus. Jesus did important things before He went to the wedding at Cana. He gathered His first disciples, gave Simon a new name, and knew Nathaniel before they met (John 1:40-51). After these things Jesus changed water into wine in Cana. Yet John clearly says,

"This, the FIRST of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in
Galilee" (John 2:11).

When John called the event at Cana "the first," he showed that only events of the MOST unusual power were called "miraculous signs." Such power stands out in a clear way. Why? Because it acts far above normal laws of nature. By normal laws of nature man cannot turn water into wine, walk on water, or instantly change weather. Man cannot raise the dead.

Natural laws are so unchanging that some people forget the most important fact about them: The laws of nature were set in place by God Himself. When one understands that fact, it is easy to understand that the same God who made nature's laws can also set them aside. He can do this for His own special reasons, such as when He wants to prove ("confirm") that a new message is from Him (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:1-4).

In the miracles of the Bible God acted SUPERnaturally (ABOVE nature). If miracles were normal to nature then they would not stand out as special "signs." Think, for example, about healings. Sick people often get well. God usually works this healing through natural means that are gradual. But when God healed through His Son, He always healed instantly. Not one of Jesus' healings was slow or gradual. By IMMEDIATELY healing every kind of illnesses - even illnesses that no doctor on earth could ever heal - God proved that He was with Jesus (Acts 2:22; 10:38).

Many people, of many religions, claim to do "miracles" like Jesus did. Some even claim to do better miracles. You can test these claims by comparing them with the true miracles described in the Bible. Are all the healings IMMEDIATELY successful? Do they heal EVERY kind of illness, even the ones that doctors never try to cure? Do they show the DIFFERENT KINDS of complete power over nature that Jesus showed? Do their teachings agree with Jesus' teachings? God has already proved that He spoke through Jesus, and we can be sure that God does not speak against His own word.

On the other hand, Satan does speak against God's word. Satan even tries to use "miracles" to lead people astray (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13; 16:14; 19:20). That is why the Bible commands us to TEST those who come claiming to use great powers from God (1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Their teachings can easily be tested because God has already spoken clearly and fully through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3). Their miracles can easily be tested because God has already given clear descriptions of His true miracles.

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by World Bible School, Inc. Austin, TX., USA. 78759