Introduction

In the Bible, miracles serve several key purposes. They are not mere displays of supernatural power but have profound theological and practical significance. Understanding these purposes helps us appreciate the role of miracles in God’s plan and how they validate His messengers and message.

Miracles as Authentication of Divine Messengers

One primary purpose of miracles is to authenticate the messengers of God. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament and carries through to the New Testament. For instance, Moses performed miracles to establish his authority as God’s chosen leader. When Jehovah called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He provided Moses with miraculous signs to validate his mission. Exodus 4:1-9 records how Moses was given the ability to turn his staff into a serpent and make his hand leprous and then restore it, ensuring that the people would believe that Jehovah had appeared to him.

Similarly, Jesus’ miracles served to authenticate His divine identity and mission. The Gospel of John emphasizes this purpose, stating, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31, UASV). The miracles of Jesus were a testament to His divine authority and a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.

Miracles as Demonstrations of God’s Power and Compassion

Miracles also serve to demonstrate God’s power and compassion. They are acts of divine intervention that reveal Jehovah’s sovereignty over creation and His deep care for humanity. For example, Jesus’ healing miracles, such as the healing of the blind, deaf, and paralyzed, showcase His compassion for those suffering and His power to restore health and wholeness. In Matthew 14:14, it is recorded that Jesus “had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

The feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21) not only demonstrates Jesus’ miraculous power over nature but also His concern for the physical needs of the people. These acts of compassion are consistent with God’s character as revealed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that He is a God who cares deeply for His creation.

Miracles as Signs of the Kingdom of God

Another significant purpose of miracles is to serve as signs of the Kingdom of God. They point to the future restoration and perfection of creation under God’s reign. Jesus’ miracles were often signs that the Kingdom of God was breaking into the present world. For instance, in casting out demons, Jesus demonstrated that He had authority over the forces of evil, indicating the arrival of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 12:28).

The ultimate sign of the Kingdom is the resurrection of Jesus, which not only validates His identity and mission but also provides a foretaste of the resurrection that believers will experience at the end of the age. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who are asleep.” This miracle of the resurrection is a guarantee of the future hope for all who believe in Christ.

Miracles as Acts of Judgment

In some instances, miracles also serve as acts of divine judgment. These acts demonstrate God’s holiness and His intolerance of sin. The plagues in Egypt, for example, were miraculous signs that served to judge the false gods of Egypt and to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian religion and society, revealing Jehovah’s supremacy over the Egyptian deities.

In the New Testament, the miracle of Ananias and Sapphira’s sudden deaths in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a stark reminder of God’s judgment against deceit and hypocrisy within the early Christian community. These miraculous judgments reinforce the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God.

Miracles as Evidence of Faith

Miracles also often occur in response to faith. Jesus frequently linked the performance of miracles to the faith of the individuals involved. For example, in Matthew 9:22, Jesus tells the woman who was healed of her bleeding, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” (UASV). This demonstrates that faith is not only a response to miracles but can also be a prerequisite for experiencing them.

In the early Church, faith was also a key component in the performance of miracles. The apostles performed many signs and wonders, and these acts were often linked to the faith of those who witnessed or received them. Acts 3:16 records Peter’s explanation of the healing of a lame man: “By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (UASV). [See the Second Excursion at the End of the Article]

Modern Relevance of Miracles

While the frequency and nature of miracles may differ today, their purposes remain relevant. Miracles continue to authenticate God’s message and messengers, demonstrate His power and compassion, serve as signs of His Kingdom, act as judgments, and provide evidence of faith. Reports of miraculous healings, conversions, and divine interventions continue to emerge from various parts of the world, particularly in regions where the Gospel is being introduced for the first time.

For instance, in some areas of the world where access to medical care is limited, reports of miraculous healings have bolstered the faith of new believers and provided compelling evidence of God’s power. These modern miracles serve to validate the message of the Gospel and demonstrate God’s ongoing involvement in the world.

Miracles serve multiple purposes within God’s redemptive plan. They authenticate His messengers and message, demonstrate His power and compassion, act as signs of the coming Kingdom, serve as acts of judgment, and provide evidence of faith. Understanding these purposes helps us appreciate the profound significance of miracles in both biblical times and today. As believers, recognizing the ongoing relevance of miracles can strengthen our faith and enhance our witness to the world. [See the Excursion 1 Below for the CPH View]

About the Author

Alfred Ernest Garvie was a Congregational minister and seminary professor. He is the author of The Ritschlian Theology and A Handbook of Christian Apologetics.

EXCURSION 1—Why No Miracles Today?

Sometimes people ask, “Why don’t we see miracles like those in the Bible today?” The answer is that miracles served a specific purpose in the past, but now God expects us to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:2-4; Hebrews 10:37-39).

In Moses’ time, miracles were performed to establish his authority. They demonstrated that Jehovah was working through him and that the Law covenant was of divine origin, marking the Israelites as God’s chosen people (Exodus 4:1-9, 30, 31; Deuteronomy 4:33, 34).

In the first century, miracles helped to confirm Jesus’ identity and the legitimacy of the early Christian congregation. They showed that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that after his death, the Christian congregation replaced fleshly Israel as God’s special people, making the Law of Moses no longer binding (Acts 19:11-20; Hebrews 2:3, 4).

After the apostles’ time, the need for miracles diminished. The apostle Paul explained: “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).

Today, we have the complete Bible, which contains all of God’s revelations and guidance. We also have the fulfillment of prophecies and a deeper understanding of God’s purposes. Therefore, there is no longer a need for miracles. However, the same God who performed miracles still exists and continues to produce results that strongly demonstrate divine power.

EXCURSION 2: Faith—A Requirement?

According to Black’s Bible Dictionary, Jesus “specified [faith] as a prerequisite for his miracles of healing.” But is that true? Did Jesus require a sick person to have faith before healing them? The answer is no. Faith was necessary for the healer, but not always for the sick person. For example, when Jesus’ disciples failed to cure an epileptic boy, Jesus healed him and explained to the disciples that their lack of faith was the reason for their failure (Matthew 17:14-20).

Matthew 8:16, 17 states that Jesus “healed all who were ill.” While these people had some belief in Jesus, which led them to approach him (Matthew 8:13; 9:22, 29), no explicit confession of faith was required for the miracle. In one instance, Jesus healed a lame man who did not even know who Jesus was (John 5:5-9, 13). On the night of his arrest, Jesus restored the severed ear of the high priest’s servant, even though this man was part of the group arresting him (Luke 22:50, 51). Jesus even raised the dead on occasion (Luke 8:54, 55; John 11:43, 44).

How could Jesus perform such miracles? He relied on the Holy Spirit, which did the curing, not the faith of the sick individual. The Gospel accounts show that Jesus’ healings were performed with minimal ceremony, without exhibitionism or emotional manipulation. Regardless of the disease, Jesus was always successful and never charged a fee (Matthew 15:30, 31).

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).