John 20:31 · Acts 2:32-33 · Mark 2:10-12 · Matthew 11:1-6 · Luke 4:17-21 · John 7:31 · Matthew 8:17 · Matthew 24:24 · 1 John 4:1 · 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 · Revelation 2:2 · John 6:26 · John 6:30 · Matthew 12:29 · Luke 16:30-31 · Matthew 10:1 · Luke 10:1-20 · 2 Corinthians 12:12 · Acts 8:18 · Acts 6:8 · Acts 8:6 · Acts 19:1-7 · 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 · 1 Corinthians 13:8 · 2 Peter 1:20-21 · Matthew 12:38 · Matthew 16:1 · Luke 11:16 · John 2:18 · John 7:3-4
Miracles and the Holy Spirit
This sermon examines the biblical purpose of miracles—to validate Jesus and fulfill Scripture—and presents reasons to reject modern miraculous claims based on the absence of evidence, purpose, qualified workers, and authority in the present age.
Definition of a Miracle
Purposes of Miracles
Miracles serve two primary purposes in Scripture.
First, miracles validate Jesus. The signs performed by Jesus affirmed His identity and divine authority. John recorded that the signs were written so that believers might believe that Jesus is the Christ. In Acts, the apostles pointed to Jesus’ resurrection as the ultimate validation of His message. The healing of the paralyzed man demonstrated Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, authenticating His claim to divine power.
Second, miracles fulfill Scripture. Jesus’ miraculous works were the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. When John the Baptist questioned whether Jesus was the coming One, Jesus pointed to the miraculous signs as evidence—the blind received sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, and the gospel was preached to the poor. These miracles demonstrated that Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of messianic expectation. The healing miracles particularly fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that Christ would take up our infirmities and bear our diseases.
Reasons to Reject Modern Miraculous Claims
There are several compelling biblical reasons to be skeptical of modern claims of miraculous healings and signs.
First, there is no evidence. Jesus Himself warned that false christs and false prophets would appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect. The instruction to test the spirits reflects the reality that deception is possible. The enemy’s servants masquerade as servants of righteousness, and their deeds reflect their master’s deception. The early church was instructed to test those who claimed to be apostles, recognizing that false claims would arise.
Second, there is no valid purpose for miracles today. In the ministry of Jesus, people sought signs not out of genuine faith but out of skepticism and the desire for entertainment. Jesus refused to provide signs on demand to those who refused to believe. The command to be filled with the Spirit and submit to God’s authority cannot be replaced by spectacular displays. The dead will not hear the gospel through miracles; they will hear it through the Word, and if they reject Scripture, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
Third, there are no qualified miracle workers in the modern church. Jesus delegated authority to perform miracles to the twelve apostles and the seventy disciples, but this authority was limited to His chosen representatives. The apostolic sign—the mark of true apostolic authority—was the ability to perform miracles, yet this was never granted to all believers. The reception of the Holy Spirit came through the laying on of apostles’ hands, not through any Christian’s hands. The miracles recorded in Acts were performed by those who held apostolic office or were commissioned by apostles.
Fourth, there is no authority for modern miracles. Paul’s treatment of the subject of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13 and following indicates that the miraculous gifts were temporary, designed to serve a specific purpose in the apostolic age and not intended to continue indefinitely.
Finally, the proliferation of unverified miraculous claims creates division rather than unity in the church. The absence of clear, undeniable miracles is conspicuous.
Theological Considerations
Two theological principles further illuminate the question of modern miracles.
The sufficiency of Scripture is foundational. Peter emphasized that Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is fully trustworthy. God has provided everything necessary for faith and practice through His Word.
The matter of faith is crucial. Many who demanded signs from Jesus did so not from a heart of faith but from skepticism and unbelief. Those who refused to believe the signs performed before them would not believe even in response to a resurrection. Faith comes through hearing the Word of God, not through witnessing miracles. The pursuit of miraculous signs often reflects a deficiency of faith rather than a expression of it.
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