Can Men Perform Miracles Today?
by Harley Pinon
Today, many people are fascinated with the miraculous gifts of the New Testament. In various ways, I have been asked if I believe in miracles. That sounds like an easy question, but let's be sure we are "on the same page." If you are asking if I think men today can raise the dead, restore hearing to the deaf, and sight to the blind, or cause the paralyzed to walk, my answer is no.
If you are asking if I think that prayers for the sick are answered, my answer is yes. On March 4, 1998, my aorta dissected at about 9:30 in the morning. Untold prayers were prayed for me. By e-mail, prayer requests went to Europe, and perhaps other countries. Obviously, I am still alive. Is that a miracle, or an answer to prayer? I call it an answer to prayer! Why? Because I have been told that only one in twenty ever live to tell of their experience. I thank God for sparing my life. As great as that is, it isn't the same as raising someone who is dead, and has been dead for some time. My heart was stopped for 18 minutes, but I was not dead.
What does the Bible say about miracles? I think Acts 8 is a great starting point. (Acts 8:5-8 NKJV) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. {6} And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. {7} For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. {8} And there was great joy in that city.
In few words, these verses tell the story very well. Philip preached the word, and the people listened. Here is the statement: "hearing and seeing the miracles which he did." That was the reason for miracles. Miracles were to confirm the word. The Hebrew writer says, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, {4} God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?" (Heb 2:3-4 NKJV) What does this passage say? It says basically that "signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit," were for the purpose of confirming the word.
John, in his gospel, used the word "sign" for miracles in numerous cases. Near the end of the gospel he recorded, he said, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; {31} but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:30-31 NKJV)
A very similar thought is expressed here in John as was expressed by the Hebrew writer. The purpose was to confirm the word, or the teachings of Jesus as the New Testament age began. Now the question is, when did miracles end? Before we answer that question, we need to know how one came to possess the gift of miracles to begin with. I only know of two ways. (1) A direct act of God through His Holy Spirit. Examples of this are the apostles on the Day of Pentecost, and on Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. and (2) The apostles could lay their hands on someone and impart the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit to others.
Returning to Acts 8, we see Simon the sorcerer wanted to buy this power. There are several important points in this story, but two that we want to point out especially. Here is the story: (Acts 8:14-21 NKJV) Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, {15} who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. {16} For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. {17} Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. {18} And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, {19} saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." {20} But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! {21} "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God."
What are the two points? First: The miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit could only be passed on by laying on of the apostles hands. Notice two points in this regard. (1) Highlighted in verse 17 is the statement that Peter and John were sent to Samaria. Why? "that they might receive the Holy Spirit. {16} For as yet He had fallen upon none of them" How did it happen? {17} 'Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." What follows? "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, {19} saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." So what is the first point? It took the laying on of the apostles hands to pass on the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit. What is the second point? We know of no case where anyone besides the apostles was ever given the power to pass this gift on to others. There were only two groups that had miraculous power so as to be able to perform miracles: (1) the apostles, and (2) those on whom the apostles had laid their hands. When these died, that was the last of those who could perform miracles.
One other thought should be added. Paul said, "Truly the signs of an
apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance,
in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." (2
Cor 12:12 NKJV) Very clearly, "signs and wonders
and mighty deeds" were the "signs of an apostle." The
apostles are dead. Those on whom they laid their hands are dead, so
miracles have ceased.
The miracles were "signs" to confirm the word and the the teaching of Christ. That was accomplished early in the history of the church. Miracles have ceased because those who had this power all died a long time ago. As much as we might like it to be otherwise, I find no evidence to give us any hope that there is a single exception to the rules I have just outlined above; therefore, it is my conclusions that there are no genuine miracles today.
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.