Are people doing miracles today?
- I Corinthians 13:8-13 – Miraculous gifts would go away when the perfect came.
- Romans 8:24
- John 20:30-31
What about Mark 16?
- Mark 16:14-20 – Is verse 17 saying that signs would accompany everyone who believed?
- Even in the New Testament period, not all Christians could work miracles.
- Also, Jesus said that miraculous gifts would go away.
- Possible explanations:
- Jesus was talking about some people being given spiritual gifts, speaking in a general sense.
- Jesus was only referring to the apostles.
Is this conclusion falsifiable?
- Yes – if someone works a miracle!
- Acts 3:1-13
| Then (Acts 3) | Now |
|---|---|
| Acts 3:2, 10 – everyone knew him | People healed are unknown to crowd. |
| Acts 3:1-2 – random guy they met | People healed are carefully screened. |
| Acts 3:7-8 – immediate | Invisible or slow healing. |
| Acts 3:14-15, 26 – unlikely to get donations! | Little or no strong preaching. |
| Acts 3:5-6 – no exchange of money either way | “Send in your money!” |
| Acts 3:12-13 – redirects attention to Jesus | “Healer” is exalted. |
- I Corinthians 14:22
- We should at least be able to agree that if someone is claiming to do miracles and signs today, including speaking in tongues, they shouldn’t be contradicting anything taught in scripture. I Corinthians 14:37; I John 4:1-6; II Thessalonians 2:9-10
- I don’t know what God does in answer to prayer. James 5:16