Introduction:
1. This morning: "Jesus manifested forth His glory through miracles."
2. This evening: "the Lord's followers performed miracles."
Discussion:
I. LET US FIRST CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES
A. The Lord's miracles showed that His teaching had God's approval (John 3:2).
B. (Hebrews 2:4) God bore the apostles witness with various miracles.
1. As the apostles went forth teaching, they also performed miracles.
2. By doing so, the apostles showed that their teaching had God's approval.
C. (Mark 16:15-18) Jesus said that the apostles would perform miracles.
1. (Mark 16:19-20) As the apostles performed miracles, the Lord was working with them and "confirming
the word" that they taught.
2. This is precisely what is taught in Hebrews 2:3-4.
D. Occasions when the apostles performed miracles:
1. (Acts 2:4) They spoke in tongues [reaction - vs.5-11].
2. (Acts 3) Peter healed a man born lame [reaction - vs.9-11].
E. By miracles, Jesus and the apostles showed that their teaching was from God.
II. OTHER FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD PERFORMED MIRACLES
A. The apostles could pass on the ability to perform miracles to others by the laying on of their hands.
1. (Acts 6:6) The apostles laid their hands on the 7 men who served the Jerusalem church.
a. (vs.8) Stephen was able to perform miracles.
b. (Acts 8:5-7) Philip also performed miracles.
2. Only the apostles could pass on the ability to perform miracles.
a. (Acts 8:14-17) Peter and John laid hands on converts in Samaria.
b. (Acts 19:5-6) Paul laid hands on some men in Ephesus.
B. Jesus performed miracles, the apostles performed miracles, and Christians who received the laying on
of the apostles' hands could perform miracles.
III. ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, MIRACLES ENDED
A. Let us be sure that we know what a "miracle" is [a supernatural occurrence; a sign which showed that
the person performing it came from God and that what he said came from God].
1. "Miracle" is often used to refer to something that is amazing or wonderful.
2. Amazing or wonderful things that occur are not miracles.
3. Great things that we are not able to easily understand are not miracles.
4. True miracles are supernatural occurrences: feeding great crowds with a small amount of food,
speaking in new tongues [languages], being bitten by poisonous snakes and suffering no harm,
drinking poison without getting sick, and healing sick people without any medical means.
5. Many things are called miracles that really are not miracles.
B. There are no apostles alive today or any Christians who received the laying on of the apostles' hands.
C. There is no need for miracles today. [God's Word is complete -- 2 Peter 1:3]
D. The Bible even says that miracles would come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:8).
1. (vs.10) They would end "when that which is perfect [complete] is come".
2. (James 1:25) The New Testament of Christ is the "perfect law of liberty."
E. Miracles existed at one time; however, they ended long ago.
Conclusion:
1. When we say that God does not work miraculously today, we do not mean that He does not work -- He
works providentially (Romans 8:28).
2. If we claim that God works miraculously today, we are putting ourselves in a difficult position.
a. If God works miraculously today, His Word has not been confirmed.
b. If God works miraculously today, that which is perfect has not come.
3. Let us speak where the Bible speaks and call Bible things by Bible names.
4. Have you received the great salvation mentioned in Hebrews 2:3?