[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
The Bible is filled with examples where the power of God is demonstrated through the use of miracles. Events such as creation (Gen. 1), the global flood and restoration of an inhabitable world (Gen. 7-8), walking on water (Mark 6:45-52), the healing of the blind (Mark 8:22-26), or the resurrection of the Christ (Mt. 28:1-7) are miracles that could only have been accomplished by the power of God. Miracles were accomplished for a specific purpose; with the purpose fulfilled the presence of miracles would no longer be needed. For miracles to be performed today, the purpose for miracle usage in the first century would be still present in the modern world, and the ability passed by the same means.
Those who believe the Bible do not try to explain the mechanics of how a miracle was accomplished. A miracle by definition is the “inherent ability, is used of works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means” (Vines). If an explanation for a supposed miracle is given, then the explanation is proof that the event was not in fact a miracle. As a result some go to great lengths to disprove miracles of the Bible while others claim miracles still occur today like in the days of the Bible. To verify if miracles are still used by God today, a purpose must be established. Living in the New Age, or Christian Age, dispensation of time the purpose for miracles today would need to be the same purpose as in the first century due to inspired writings have ceased.
The purpose of miracles was to instruct the lost, prove what was taught had divine origin, and to edify the local church. Before the crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised His apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things in regard to truth and allow them to recollect all that they had witnessed the teachings of Jesus (Jn. 14:26). This knowledge would be needed in order to teach all that the apostles would come into contact from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to the time of their deaths. As the power of the Holy Spirit was transferred, by the laying on of hands by the apostles or a pouring forth from God, others would take up this ability to teach the lost concerning Jesus the Christ (Philip-Acts 8, Timothy-2 Tim. 1:2-8). Without the gospel being recorded, this guidance was essential in the growth of the Church.
The revelation and recollection of the truth in the first century was miraculous, but to demonstrate that the gospel being taught had divine origins, miracles were performed as confirmation. The Lord confirmed the truth by the miracles (Mk. 16:20), which He granted to be done through the individuals’ hands (Acts 14:3), and caused obedience (Rom. 15:17-19). This confirmation was able to be understood, for without God, the miracles would be impossible for man to perform. Nicodemus made this confession to Jesus where he said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (Jn. 3:2). Nicodemus recognized the things that Jesus taught to be truth from God due to the miracles Jesus performed. Unless God is with the one teaching, miracles would be impossible.
The power of the Holy Spirit also edified the churches through prophesying, speaking in tongues, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, etc. (1 Cor. 12:4-11). These gifts would be beneficial due to the complete gospel was still being recorded. We also see the impartial nature of God by allowing various individuals to speak in tongues so that a language barrier could not contain the potential obedience for any who would believe (Acts 2:4-11, 1 Cor. 12:9-12). Please note that the purpose was not to please an emotional craving, but to edify and build up the local church. Paul made this emphasis quite clear to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 14:3-12). Being involved with the edification of the church exemplifies the unselfish and caring characteristics of love that Paul had previously mentioned (1 Cor. 13:4-7). As there is life after baptism, the babe in Christ has a need for growth and edification in which was fulfilled by the use of the miraculous gifts given by God.
These wonderful and perfect gifts from God had a specific purpose as has been noted, the means by which the gifts were passed must also be answered. The book of Acts shows the gift of the Holy Spirit being passed by a pouring forth by God, or the laying on of hands. The Scriptures record only two incidents of a pouring forth by God. The apostles were the recipients on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and the Gentile audience assembled in the house of Cornelius at a later time in Caesarea (Acts 10:44-45, 11:15-17). There is no evidence recorded in the canon of Scriptures to indicate another occurrence such as the event in Acts 2 or 10, therefore these are the only two occasions.
The Scriptures indicate the only other means for the gift to be distributed is the laying on of hands by the apostles. Paul performed this while in Ephesus (Acts 19:6) and laying his hands upon Timothy (2 Tim. 1:6). In Acts 8, after Philip had been preaching and teaching the Samaritans, the apostles sent Peter and John to distribute the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-15). Peter and John went to Samaria and laid their hands upon the believers (Acts 8:17). As apostles, Peter and John were able to pass this gift; however Philip was not able although being full of the Spirit (Acts 6:3-5, 8:6). It would not have been necessary for Peter and John to come to Samaria if anyone could pass on the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Based upon the evidence found in Scripture, the honest person can conclude that miracles no longer occur because of the absence of the purpose specified, and the means of receiving the gift. It was needful to have the gift of the Holy Spirit while the gospel was still being recorded within the first century. Once the gospel was recorded and once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), mankind would be able to duplicate, spread the message, and refer to the writings for authority. We no longer need God to reveal that which has been already revealed and preserved. The Scriptures show that message was confirmed by the miracles performed, why confirm the already confirmed evidence? Would it not be redundant and superfluous? The purpose for miracles in the first century no longer exists today, and cannot be passed among men today without the apostles.
The temporary use of the gifts was designed by the wisdom of God. Paul informed the Corinthians “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away” (1 Cor. 13:8-10). From chapters 12 through 14, Paul gave a great deal of time discussing the gifts relating to the spreading of the gospel. We cannot simply isolate this verse from the complete context it is in and force our own personal conclusions. The context suggests that once people have access to the full gospel message, people will no longer need the special means of knowledge and communication. Paul indicated that each of the gifts would fade away in time, but the love for edifying the saints and teaching the lost would continue. Christians today have received the benefits of the gifts by having the complete recorded Scriptures. What more do we need to be obedient?
Faith is the hearing and comprehension of the word of God. We can read what God has revealed, and thus can comprehend and acquire faith. People of the first century did not have the Bible in complete recorded form. It seems to be providential that the God set in place the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the duration while the gospel was being recorded and distributed by holy men of faith. John said in John 20:30-31, the gospel was recorded so that the audience of the contents would be able to believe. That was the purpose of the book of John, but the same conclusion can be drawn for the rest. As the purpose faded, so also did the gift.
