Page 81 - Bible Doctrines II w videos short

Israel was that they would believe God's messenger.

When Elijah confronted the false prophets on Mount Carmel, he prayed for God to miraculously send
fire from heaven so the people would know (1 Kgs. 18:36-37). The miracles he and the other prophets
performed were a confirmation that God had sent the prophets and that God was at work in Israel’s
midst. Joel was given a message of God's judgment on Israel, and within that message was a prophecy of
mercy and hope (Joel 2:27). Immediately after that statement, God spoke about pouring His Spirit on
the people, so they would prophesy, see visions, and see wonders happening. When the disciples began
speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21), Peter declared, “This is that which was
spoken by the prophet Joel.” The purpose for that prophecy was to allow people to know that the
message brought by Peter and the others was God's message. Jesus' ministry was accompanied by
various signs and wonders. What was the purpose of His miracles? Just as in the Old Testament, the
purpose of Jesus' miracles was to confirm God's hand on His Messenger; to authenticate Christ as the
Messiah (John 10:37-38).

One thing that is often overlooked in discussions about signs and miracles is the timing and placement
of them in the Scriptures. Contrary to popular belief, people in Bible times did not see miracles all the
time. The vast majority of people who lived in Bible times never saw signs and wonders with their own
eyes. They had to live by faith in what God had already revealed to them. In the early church, the signs
and wonders were primarily centered on the first presentation of the gospel among various people
groups. On the day of Pentecost, we read that there were “Jews, devout men, out of every nation under
heaven” gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). To them, that sign of tongues was first given (Acts 2:6-11).
They acknowledged that they were hearing in their native tongues about the wonderful works of God.
Again, when Peter was sent to Cornelius, a Gentile, God gave a miraculous sign to confirm His work (Acts
10:45-46). When Peter was questioned by the other apostles, he gave this as evidence of God's leading,
and the others “glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads
to life’” (Acts 11:18).

In every instance, the sign gifts were a confirmation of God's message and messenger, in order that
people might hear and believe. Once the message was confirmed, the signs faded away. Basically, when
the canon of Scripture was completed, there was no longer a need to affirm the authors. God had
completed His revelation to man. Now we don't need those signs to be repeated in our lives, but we do
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need to receive the same gospel message. It is interesting that when you study the history of the
church and the writings of the early church apologists, that the “gift of tongues” is not mentioned or
practiced in the church. It seemed to have faded away of itself. It was not until almost 1900 years later
that the use of tongues in the church reappeared.

Are the Miraculous Gifts Tongues, Healings, and Miracles of the Spirit for Today?

First, it is important to recognize that this is not a question of whether God still performs
miracles today. It would be foolish and unbiblical to claim God does not heal people,
speak to people, and perform miraculous signs and wonders today. The question is
whether the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, described primarily in 1 Corinthians 12–14, are
still active in the church today. This is also not a question of can the Holy Spirit give
someone a miraculous gift. The question is whether the Holy Spirit still dispenses the miraculous gifts
today. Above all else, we entirely recognize that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense gifts according to His
will (1 Cor. 12:7-11).

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