The Miracles of the First Century ~ Part One
By Bob W. Lovelace
An inquirer asks:
Does God still do miracles today through men of God and apostles?
Introduction: Such questions stem from, I’m
convinced, people’s awareness that the so-called “miracles” performed by faith
healers today are obviously the works of frauds. They can see that their
so-called miracles are not of the same nature as those recorded in the New
Testament. The request asks if the New Testament miracles performed by men came
to an end?
Part One: The Purpose of Miracles
I. Concerning the Purpose of the
Miracles, Mark 16:15-20
Mark 16:15-20,
"And he said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned. [17] And these signs shall follow them that
believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they
shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they
drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover. [19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them,
he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. [20] And they
went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the word with signs following. Amen."
New Testament
miracles confirmed (validated) the spoken word as coming from God (Mk. 16:20). That Word has been confirmed. John 20:30-31 states that
the miracles are recorded in the written word in order to produce belief today
in Jesus as the Son of God,
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his
disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are WRITTEN
(emphasis mine, BL), that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The confirmation
is seen in such passages as Heb. 2:4, "God also bearing them witness, both
with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy
Spirit..." The need stated in Mark 16:17 for those who preach to have
accompanying signs in order that those who hear might know that the Word is
indeed God’s no longer exists. We have God's word in the inspired text!
Miracles were necessary in the first century because the apostles and others who preached, such as Philip the evangelist, did not
have the written New Testament to begin with as we have. They first spoke God’s
word “orally” before it began to be written in the inspired text which was
completed some time in the first century.
These signs and wonders produced
belief or faith. When we read about the signs Jesus performed we believe in His
deity (John 20:30-31). To those who
saw the signs Jesus said, "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not
believe Me; [38] but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the
works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the
Father" (John 10:37-38). In the same way, those who lived in the first
century and saw the signs the Apostles’ performed “believed” that their message
was from God. When the proconsul of the island
of Paphos
saw the miracle Paul performed on Elymas, he believed
the word was from God (Acts 13:11-12).
Today faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).
II. The duration of the miracles
Christians performed, I Cor. 13:8-10
Paul
taught on the duration of the biblical miracles in 1 Cor.
13:8-10,
I Corinthians 13:8-10,
"Charity never faileth: but whether there
be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is
perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."
I Corinthains 13:8 shows a limited
duration for spiritual gifts,
After the death of the Apostles
the miraculous gifts would come to an end. Here "prophecies" (one
gift), "tongues" (another gift), and "knowledge" (another
gift) are used to teach about the end of all the "gifts." You may see
a complete list of the spiritual gifts in I Cor. 12:
7-10. "Knowledge" in I Cor. 13:8 is the
gift known as "the word of knowledge" and does not mean that man
would not have God's Word after the gifts ceased, for God has seen to it that
we have the completed WRITTEN revelation of His will in the New Testament (read
2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The three words Paul used in
stating the limited duration of spiritual gifts help queerest find, and understand, the answer they are looking for. The words are
"fail," "cease," and "vanish away." Prophecies
would “fail.” Tongues (speaking in tongues, i.e. languages as a miraculous
gift) would “cease.” And Knowledge (directly inspired by the Holy Spirit) would
“vanish away.”
I Corinthains 13:9 gives a time when
that which is “in part” would be done away,
I Corinthians 13:9,
"[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done
away."
"In part" refers to the
various "parts" listed in I Cor. 12:8-10.
There Paul lists nine spiritual gifts, including “knowledge” and “prophecy.” Of
course “tongues” (various languages) were a means of speaking God’s Word. For
the convenience of our study here is the list of spiritual gifts. Note: I've
put in bold type three of these gifts which were referred to by Paul in the
passages above.
1 Cor. 12:7-11
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the
word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same
Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] 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: [11] But all these worketh
that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The church at Corinth
had all the spiritual gifts! Where is the local church today that while
claiming to have "tongues" (they actually use a gibberish that is
nothing more than just putting syllables together to make various noises) would
dare to make such a claim as to have all nine of these? They do not have the
miraculous gifts therefore they cannot make such a claim. In the first century
knowledge was revealed to inspired men “in part,” i.e. portioned out as needed,
and men prophesied “portions” of the truth necessary and applicable to their
immediate circumstances. For example a prophet would speak to the church for
the edification of all (Cor. 14:3, 4). Tongues (the
spiritual gift of) were to be used as a “sign” to the unbeliever who might come
into their assembly and thus hear one speak in his own language (I Cor. 14:22;
compare Acts 2:6-11). Should one speak in a “tongue,“ i.e. in a foreign
language then it was to be by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by
teaching in order that it might be profitable (I Cor.
14:6). Moreover, Paul tells them that the “tongue” (language) must be
understood by all ( I Cor.
14:9,11, 16, 19). Thus, the necessity of having it “interpreted” was enjoined
upon those with this gift so that all present would understand, and be edified
by what had been said (I Cor. 14: 5, 27-28). Paul
made plain the necessity of interpreting the “tongues” so that what was spoken
(“in part”) would be understood by all present! Concerning the gift of prophecy
Paul said, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge” (I Cor. 14:29). The
word “judge” means discriminate, to pass judgment upon. To aid in their
discriminating as to the authenticity of the word and reliability of the
individual, some possessed the gift of “discerning of spirits” (I Cor. 12:10).
This was a necessary spiritual gift that enabled them to vindicate whether the
one who had spoken was truly a prophet of God speaking with the pure motive of
edifying the body (Compare I John 4:1). This period of knowing and prophesying
“in part” had it checks and balances lest a false teacher come in and take
advantage of them! (Cp. I John 4:1; 2 John: 7) Paul
says that which was “in part” would cease to exist was when “that which is
perfect is come.”
An
explanation of “that which is perfect”
In referring to "that which
is perfect" Paul makes mention of what is taught in James 1:25, "But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." We have today
"the perfect law of liberty" which is the completed New Testament
(the Gospel of Christ) that sets us free from sin. In describing the will of
Christ as the “perfect law” James gives emphasis to it being “complete.“ The word "perfect" means
"completeness" (Strong‘s Help). Notice that
James says that they had the completed revelation, and they could look into it
and continue in it. Today, you and I have the assurance that all Scripture
(that which is written by inspiration) thoroughly equips us unto every good
work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Note exactly
what 2 Tim. 3:16-17 teaches, "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God
MAY BE PERFECT (emphasis mine, BL), thoroughly furnished unto all good
works." Elsewhere Paul speaks of all who would “come to the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ“ (Eph. 4:13). The “unity of the faith“ is the complete revelation of God’s will as recorded in
the New Testament. It is the “one faith“ spoken of in
Ephesians 4:5. This “one faith“ was eventually
recorded, i.e. written down in scripture by some inspired apostles and some
prophets in the first century.
With the completed revelation
there would be no need for revelation to be made in "part" by
inspired men at various places and times as it was when Paul discussed
spiritual gifts in I Corinthians chapters 12-14. Such "in part"
revelation was necessary at the beginning of the church. To begin with they did
not carry the Bible, i.e. the New Testament around in book form as we do. They
first "spoke" God's Word and then gradually it was written down. Notice
Peter’s statement in 2 Peter 3:1-2,“This second epistle, beloved, I now WRITE
(emphasis mine, BL) unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of
remembrance: [2] That ye may be mindful of the words which WERE SPOKEN (emph. mine, BL) before by the holy prophets, and of the
commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:"
What was first spoken orally was in time written and left for us for all time
until the end of time. Today we test whether one is speaking the truth by what
is written in God’s inspired word that is able to furnish us completely to
every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3).
The apostles (see Matt. 10:2-4)
including Paul, Rom.
1:1, and Matthias, Acts 1:26, but excluding Judas who betrayed the Lord, Acts
1:15-20, are in heaven. Prophecy has ceased with the death of the apostles and
inspired prophets who lived in the first century. Today among those mentioned
in Ephesians 4:11 whom Christ gave
for equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying, protection
and growth of the body of Christ (see Eph. 4:11-13)
the church here on earth retains evangelists (preachers), pastors (also called
elders, overseers, shepherds) and teachers. But none today have the miraculous
spiritual gifts! Preachers preach the Word just as commanded in 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
Bishops (also called elders, overseers, shepherds) qualifications are recorded
in I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10. Notice the necessity enjoined upon elders
being “able to teach” God’s word (2 Tim. 3:2). An elder must be “holding fast
the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may
be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict those who contradict.
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talker and
deceivers, especially those of the circumcision” (Titus 1:9-10). Deacons
are mentioned in I Timothy 3:8-13 along with the qualifications for the elders.
What
Paul is not talking about in I Corinthians 13:10,
In I Cor.
13:10 Paul is not talking about the Second Coming of Christ for that is not the
subject matter of the context. A discussion of spiritual gifts, their proper
purpose (function) and duration begins in I Cor. 12:1
with, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren I would not want you to be
ignorant." This discussion continues from chapter 12:1 thru chapter 14 and
there is much to learn in these three chapters!
The
“partial” was done away with when the perfect came,
Miraculous gifts were given to
others through the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:14-19). In the city of Samaria
only Philip was preaching and performing miracles in order to confirm that the
message was from God (Acts 8:4-8). Philip is the one mentioned in Acts 6:3,5 as one full of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the
miracles was to confirm that the message was God’s (see Mk. 16:20). You learn from Acts 8 that only the
Apostles had the power to lay their hands on others and give them the Holy
Spirit (the ability to perform spiritual gifts, miracles, etc.). Look at what
Simon “saw”: Acts 8:18-19, “And when
Simon SAW (emph. mine, B.L.)
that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he
offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I
lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” While others than Philip were now
Christians as a result of their belief and baptism (Acts 8:12-13; Cp. 18:8), though being Christians they did not
have the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17).
The purpose of sending two Apostles, Peter and John, to Samaria
was so that they (the apostles) could lay their hands on them and thus impart
to them the spiritual gifts! The apostles are all dead and there is no one with
this power left on earth today. This is why Paul taught what he did in I Cor. 13:8-10. Sometime after the death of the last apostle
and also the deaths of those upon whom the apostles laid their hands the
miraculous gifts “failed,” “ceased,” and “vanish” just as Paul taught they
would! No one today has the gift of prophecy and of working miracles! When one
tells me today that their church has the gift of prophecy then I ask them what
they think that they have to tell me that God has not already stated in the
completed written word (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3)? All of their so called
prophesy that I have ever heard is nothing more than just making up some stuff
and it is verbose at that. It would be comparable to being told that the
Catholic church’s latest proclamation of what Mary has
“supposedly” spoken from heaven should be believed as having taken place!
PLEASE NOTE: For further study
I have listed miracles you find recorded in the book of Acts. See "Miracles
of the New Testament Part Two." There are several of these and I ask
you to consider carefully their “nature” in contrast to the supposed miraculous
works of faith healers today.
Bob W. Lovelace
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