It was a miracle!
We receive an attractive publication from a religious group called “Zion’s Hope.” It was apparently sent to us with the hope that we would subscribe and support their work. Strong appeals are made for financial support. In the current issue, explanation was given as to how adjustments had been made in their budget. “Miraculously,” it was said, their needs had been met.
Several years ago, it was common for congregations, including some congregations designated Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, to have “miracle” offerings. They would set a huge goal several weeks ahead, giving time for people to accumulate their offering. They could be stocks, bonds, insurance cash values, jewelry, used automobiles, etc., in addition to money. On the miracle day they would rejoice and praise God in some way for the accomplished miracle.
More recently, the emergency landing of the airplane on the Hudson River, without one loss of life, was hailed to be an astounding miracle. It was, indeed, an amazing display of skill and experience, but does not classify as a miracle.
A pretty good brief definition of a miracle is an instantaneous act, brought about by divine power and contrary to the laws of nature as we know them. Anything planned by a group, over a period of time, cannot be classed as a miracle, regardless of how large, exciting, amazing or productive it may be.
Although compassion was a factor in some miracles (Matt. 14:14; 15:32; 20:34), the primary purpose was for confirmation of truth, in both the Old and New Testaments (1 Kings 17:24; Matt. 9:6-7; Mark 2:10-11; John 4:48; Acts 14:3; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:2-4). The word “signs,” in the phrase, “signs and wonders,” frequently used in the New Testament, refers to the confirmation miracles give to truth.
All truth, pertaining to the whole scheme of redemption, was given to the apostles. It was, therefore, completed by the end of the first century A.D. This is verified by what Jesus promised the apostles the night before his crucifixion. “These things I have spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you” (John 14:25-26). “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come” (John 16:12-13).
The apostles could, and did, lay their hands on other men to impart miraculous powers to them for establishing and guiding new congregations. But these men could not pass the powers on to others. The terms of pardon or salvation had been revealed, resulting in the church’s being established,?under the direction of the Holy Spirit inspired apostles, so there was no more need for men to have miraculous powers. We can say, scripturally, that no humans have had such powers since those early years. Any such claims to have performed miracles since then are not correct. The Bible has been abundantly confirmed as being accurate and adequate for giving us all the information we need about becoming Christians and living the Christian life for eternal salvation. No further confirmation is needed!
The Bible is very clear that miracles were going to cease. The Corinthians were allowing the miraculous gifts, distributed to various ones for the good or benefit of the whole congregation, to divide them (1 Cor. 12:7). Paul said he would show them a more excellent way (v. 31b). This is what prompted what is now called the “love chapter” of the Bible, chapter 13. He points out that miraculous gifts, without love, are useless, actually destructive! “Love never fails,” he says, “but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come (the completed N.T.) that which is in part shall be done away.” Before that, the apostles had to write the various letters to individual or groups of congregations to deal with their respective questions and issues. After the New Testament was completed, all congregations everywhere, who had the full word of God, would have all the revelation God gave. Verses 11-13, do not refer to what it will be like in heaven, but to what it would be like when the full word of God came. What we need today is not a continuation of miracles, but a more widespread knowledge of the Bible and humble obedience to it. This would work wonders!
–Lowell E. McCoy
Posted in Lowell E. McCoy
