In the Now Testament there are four words used for miraculous events--signs, wonders, miracles, and works. Each word adds to the dimension of New Testament miracles.

1. Signs: The word "signs" points to something beyond itself. A street sign is not the street, but it points beyond the street that it identifies. The events of the New Testament are not to be seen as events pointing to themselves, but as pointing beyond themselves to show that God approved of a man and His message.
2. Wonders: The word "wonder" refers to the viewer's awesome response upon witnessing an event.
3. Miracles: The meaning of the term "miracles" involves power. The word reflects the source of the miraculous event. Miracles have to be caused by power. It must be a power that can suspend the laws of nature. "No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with Him" (John 3:2). The possessing of power --- superhuman power --- was a prerequisite to performing a miracle.
4. Works: This word is found extensively in John. The purpose for the use of "Works" is to show the works done by Jesus as being a basis for believing in Him. "...If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works" (John 10:37,38).

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The New Testament miracles had one basic purpose. That basic purpose was Proof of Claim. The claim is that the men who worked them and the message they spoke were from God. At the time there was no authoritative New Testament to validate the message of Jesus. Those who spoke the Gospel confirmed the truthfulness of their message by miracles.

"Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God" (John 20:30,31).

Miracles In the New Testament were to confirm the man or the message as being from God

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There was a time in which God worked in signs, wonders, and miracles. But, today, He no longer works directly in the affairs of world. How do I know, The Bible tells me so. Notice:

1. The purpose of miracles has ceased. The purpose of miracles was to confirm God's Word (Mark 16:20), and today, we have His Word in The Bible
2. The means of miracles has ceased- Jesus commissioned His twelve apostles to carry on His work, and that they did "---by signs and wonders and miracles" (2 Cor. 12:12), and, therefore, when the last apostle died, thus would end the age of miracles.
3. Paul tells us so. Paul, the apostle tells us, that the age of miracles would cease, when the written Word, The Bible, is complete (1 Cor. 13:9-13), that is, Genesis through Revelation.

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The question is not whether God is able to work miracles. Certainly He is able. But the question is "Does God follow His own laws?" God is powerful enough to do whatever He wills. However, the nature of God is such, that He wills to work in an orderly way. Consider that, God is able to destroy the world with a flood, but will He? No, because He has set the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise that He will not. He will not break the promise that He has made

God is able to grow a watermelon out of an acorn, but will He? No, He stated from creation that a seed would bring forth after its kind. He would not break the law He made. God is able to save an impenitent liar, murderer, and thief, but will He? No, because He has established in the Scriptures the law of "repent or perish" (Luke 13:3). He will not change that which He revealed in the Scriptures

God works through His eternal purpose--Paul stated that God works "according to the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). God's will and God's plan and God's laws do not contradict.

Come learn more about God and His purpose and plan at the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. with Bible Classes beginning at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM.

In regard to prayer and healing the question is not whether or not God heals. He does, but the question is "How does He Heal?" Consider this, say a person cuts his finger, the natural functions of the body begin the healing process. These functions are a part of healing process of the human body. It is no less a work of God because it is natural.

Therefore, prayer and healing must be in accordance to God's Law. One of the conditions of prayer is that it be according to the will of God. Jesus taught, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). Again, while Jesus was in the garden "yet not as I will, but as Thou will" (Matt.26:39,42,44). Clearly, Jesus did not ask God to go contrary to His eternal plan to take away suffering. Prayer is harmonizing one's desires to God's will as much as it is seeking God's help in fulfilling one's desires. God works through Prayer and Providence. Both are in accordance to His eternal purpose. Come learn more about God and His plan at the Independence Church of Christ.