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In taking the position taken in this series of articles, that there are no miracles today in the Biblical sense, some will raise objections and try to make argument against that position, using the scriptures that follow. Let us carefully and prayerfully consider them. 1. Almost invariably someone will quote Hebrews 13:8 which reads as follows: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Another scripture which expresses the same idea is also often quoted as follows; “For I the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6 The argument is made that since God does not change, therefore; because there have been miracles in the past, there are miracles today, and miracles will continue until the end of time. Is this what these scriptures are saying? I think not, and, I believe if you will but stop and think about this for a moment you will see that they are not teaching this at all. Notice: ►God at one time brought forth man from the dust of the earth, truly a miracle, but God no longer brings men into being in this fashion! Does this mean that God has changed? ►God at one time caused bread to fall from heaven for the Israelites. I don’t see anyone today sitting out waiting for the bread to fall from the sky. It just doesn’t happen! Does that mean that God has changed? ►God is not still sending out apostles to preach the gospel to the whole creation, but does that mean He has changed? No, God has not, and does not change. He is holy, sinless, just and faithful as always; all of which have nothing to do with the fact that he does use different methods in different times. Though His methods may change He remains the same. Thus we see that this is actually a misuse of scripture rather than a use of scripture. 2. It is often read or quoted where Jesus said; “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.” John 14:12 Please notice that there are two kinds of works spoken of at this place. One is the ones’ like Jesus did. The second is spoken of as some that would be greater than these that Jesus did. Now, again I ask you to think and ask yourself a question, and that question is; how could someone else healing a sick person today be any greater than Jesus healing a sick person then? How could even raising one from the dead (if such were possible today) be greater than Jesus raising one from the dead then? The answer is that it would not be, it would only be the same thing Jesus did. These are the same works that Jesus did, that were done by the men that were sent forth by Jesus to proclaim the gospel story, just as he said they would do. The thing they did that was greater than the works He did, was they went into “all the world, and preached the gospel” as a fact. Jesus could not do this as He had to suffer the cross in order that there would be a gospel to preach. As he went on to say; “because I go to the Father.” Clearly this passage is speaking of the apostles and their mission. If we take the position that the words; “he who believes in me” refers to every believer then we must conclude that unless we can do the things Jesus could do and something even more spectacular, then we are not believers!! 3. We are asked, “Then what about Mark 16:16-18”? I have already touched on these passages in a previous article and shown that they are speaking of the men Jesus sent forth with the message of salvation. It has also been shown, I believe, that, all of these powers resided in each and ever one of these men! It was further shown that these powers could not be transmitted to anyone else, other than by the laying on of the hands of these men. Again, we encounter the quandary of those who would say that “believers” here includes all believers. If you take this position you must be forced to the conclusion that you can pick up serpents or drink deadly poison or you are not a believer! When those who claim this is for all believers wish to go to a foreign land as a missionary can they speak that language without studying it? The apostles could, so if this is for all believers, why can’t they? If those who teach that these things are for all believers then it follows that since any today who claims to be a believer, and cannot do these things, is by all rules of logic, therefore not a believer! 4. I hear someone ask; “What about James 5:14&15” These verses read as follows; “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith WILL save the sick man, and the Lord WILL raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” Now as you read these scriptures, let your mind go back to the last “faith healers” service you attended or perhaps watched on television. Was it like what is being described here? Notice the following three facts in these passages that are totally at odds with the so called “faith healers’ or modern day “miracle worker.” · This is taking place in the sick persons’ home. The sick person is to “call, or send for,” not go to some tent, church house or municipal arena. These are people genuinely sick!! Too sick to be running around all over the country and being exposed to the theatrics of some staged healing show. · They are to call or send “for the elders”—Now if you hadn’t noticed, that’s plural—more than one—that are to “come to him”; that is; to the place where he is !!!! · “He WILL BE raised up—not may be raised up—not could be or might be—or will be in some cases. It is emphatically stated that without exception- “HE WILL BE raised up.” It doesn’t matter what the ailment, cancer, tuberculosis, emphysema, C.O.P.D. or A.I.D.S. he WILL BE raised up! It might even be that cancer has eaten a lung away or destroyed a kidney, or the throat has been destroyed, but God says “He will be raised up.” Now if there are any so called “elders” that can go with me to visit some of the people I visit, that are dying of all these terrible diseases, and “raise them up”, please e-mail me or sign into the guest book and we will make arrangements to meet and help some of these suffering, dying people. Now do you remember who it was that appointed the “elders” in the New Testament church? In the book of Acts 14:23, we are told that it was the apostles. This is the same apostles who possessed each and every gift and also the exclusive prerogative of endowing others with such gifts as were necessary (see Acts 8) in this formative state of the church of God. Does God answer prayer? Certainly he does. He answers the prayers of his people on his schedule and in his way, not on my schedule, nor in my way. It is pretty presumptuous to believe or teach that we can tell God what to do or when he must do it. As pointed out in earlier articles, God works through natural means. Medicines, science, physicians, and even knowledge; that enables us to live healthier lives, are gifts that all come from the Father. “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 It is good to study these things in order not to be deceived by the money grubbers who go forth today and whose main gift is to separate poor, sincere people from their money. The hospitals and nursing homes are full of the sick and the dying. If they can do as they claim then let them go there!! May Gods’ blessings be
upon you and may He give you peace. If you would like to email me with any
other questions relating to these or any other articles, please feel free
and I will respond.
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