Reference: Miracles
Fausets
Three distinct New Testament Greek words represent miracles: seemeion, "a sign"; teras, "a prodigy"; dunamis, "a mighty work." Septuagint uses seemeion and teras for Hebrew 'owt and mopheth (Ex 7:9). Seemeion, "sign," views the miracle as evidence of a divine commission: Joh 3:2, "no man can do these signs (Greek) which Thou doest except God be with him" (Joh 9:30,33; 15:24; Lu 7:19-22); teras, "prodigy" or "wonder," expresses the effect on the spectator; dunamis, "mighty work," marks its performance by a superhuman power (Ac 2:22; 2Co 12:12; 2Th 2:9). The "sign" is God's seal, attestation, or proof of a revelation being genuine. Jesus' miracles were not merely wonders but signs; signs not merely of His power, but of the nature of His ministry and of His divine person.
A grand distinction peculiar to Christianity is, it won the world to it in an age of high civilization, through a few preachers of humble position, on the evidence of miracles. Basing its claim on miracles the creed of the slave became eventually the faith of the Caesars. Muhammed on the contrary, even in a half-enlightened age and country, pretended no miracle. Christ and His apostles still less than Mahomet among friends would have dared to allege miracles, in the midst of hostile Jews and skeptical Romans, unless they were true. This claim is the more striking, since John the Baptist, though coming "in the spirit and power of Elias," the great miracle worker of the Old Testament, never claimed miraculous power; so far is Scripture from indiscriminately gratifying men's love of the marvelous at the cost of truth.
Similarly, Abraham, David, and other Old Testament heroes never appear as miracle workers. Early Christian writers, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Origen, occasionally appeal to miracles in proof of Christianity; but state that their pagan opponents, admitting the facts, attributed them to magic; which accounts for the fewness of their references to miracles. The Jewish writings, as the Sepher Toldoth Jeshu, also the extant fragments of Celsus, Porphyry, and Julian, admit the fact of the miracles, though ascribing them to magic and evil spirits. In the case of the resurrection (Mt 28:11-15) and the cure of the blind man (John 9) the Jews made a self confuted charge of fraud. The early Christian apologists allege in support of Christianity:
(1) the greatness, number, completeness, and publicity of the miracles;
(2) the beneficial tendency of the doctrine;
(3) the connection of the miracles with prophecy and the whole scheme of redemption from Adam to Christ. The miracles must have been altogether different from the wonders of exorcists, magicians, etc.; else they would not have gained for the gospel so wide and permanent an acceptance. The effect of Philip's ministry on the Samaritans, in opposition to Simon Magus (Acts 8), proves this. The holy character of Christ and His apostles, and the tendency of Christianity to promote truth and virtue, are against the origination of the miracles from evil spirits or jugglery. In the fourth century miracles had ceased (Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 11-13); in the third, miracles are alleged, but are suspicious, as wrought among those already believing and predisposed to accept prodigies credulously. The ecclesiastical miracles are not attested by inspired writers. The apostles alone could transmit the power of working miracles to others. Cornelius was an exception, being the firstfruit of the Gentiles.
But Philip could not impart it; Peter and John must come to confer on his Samaritan converts miraculous gifts, by laying on of hands (Ac 8:15-20; 10:44-46; 19:6; Mr 16:17-18). Christianity being once proved and attested to us, the analogy of God's dealings leads us to expect He would leave it to make its way by ordinary means; the edifice being erected, the scaffolding is taken down; perpetual miracle is contrary to His ways. The ecclesiastical miracles alleged are ambiguous, or tentative, or legendary, i.e. resembling known products of human credulity and imposture. Many are childish, and palpably framed for superstitious believers, rather than as evidences capable of bearing critical scrutiny. Most of them are not told until long after their presumed occurrence. Herein the New Testament miracles wholly differ from them. The Christian miracles are:
(1) Recorded by contemporaries.
(2) In the same country.
(3) Not based on transient rumor, but confirmed by subsequent investigation, and recorded in independent accounts.
(4) Not naked history, but the history combined with the institution and with the religion of our day, as also with the time and place of the miracle recorded and of Christianity's origin.
(5) With particular specification of names, places, dates, and circumstances.
(6) Not requiring merely otiose assent, as the popular superstitions on which nothing depends, but claiming to regulate the opinions and acts of people.
(7) Not like popish miracles in Roman Catholic countries, in affirmation of opinions already formed, but performed amidst enemies, converting men from their most cherished prejudices; there was no anterior persuasion to lay hold of, Jesus' miracles gave birth to the sect; frauds might mix with the progress, but could not have place in the commencement of the religion.
(8) Not an imaginary perception, as Socrates' demon; the giving sight to the blind leaves a lasting effect; in those of a mixed nature the principal miracle is momentary, but some circumstance combined with it is permanent; Peter's vision might be a dream, but the message of Cornelius could not have been; the concurrence could only be supernatural.
(9) Not tentative, where out of many trials some succeed, as the ancient oracles, cures wrought by relics, etc.
(10) Not doubtful miracles, as the liquefaction of Januarius' blood, cures of nervous ailments.
(11) Not stories which can be resolved into exaggerations.
(12) Not gradual, but instantaneous for the most part (Lu 18:43); not incomplete; not merely temporary, but complete and lasting.
(13) Witnessed to at the cost of suffering and death. (Paley, Evidences of Christianity.)
A miracle is not a "violation of the laws of nature" (Hume), but the introduction of a new agent. Such introduction accords with human experience, for we see an intelligent agent often modifying the otherwise uniform laws of nature. "Experience" informs us of human free will counteracting the lower law of gravitation. Infinitely more can the divine will introduce a new element, counteracting, without destroying, lower physical law; the higher law for a time controls and suspends the action of the lower. Or, "law" being simply the expression of God's will, in miracles God's will intervenes, for certain moral ends, to suspend His ordinary mode of working. The wise men following the star, and then receiving further guidance from the Scripture word, illustrate the twofold revelation, God's works, and God's word, the highest guide. Both meet in the Incarnate Word (Matthew 2; 2Pe 1:19-21). As disturbance has entered the world by sin, as nature visibly attests, God must needs miraculously interfere to nullify that disturbance.
Hume alleged against miracles their contrariety to "experience," and that experience shows testimony to be often false. But "experience" is not to be limited to our time and knowledge. The "experience" of the witnesses for Christianity attests the truth of miracles. However improbable miracles are under ordinary circumstances, they are probable, nay necessary, to attest a religious revelation and a divine commission. "In whatever degree it is probable that a revelation should be communicated to mankind at all, in the same degree is it probable that miracles should be wrought" (Paley, Evidences of Christianity). That they are out of the ordinary course of nature, so far from being an objection, is just what they need to be in order to be fit signs to attest a revelation. It is as easy to God to continue the ordinary course of the rest of nature, with the change of one part, as of all the phenomena without any change. It is objected, miracles "interrupt the course of nature."
But as that course really compri
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Then Jesus went about through Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people.
And behold! a leper came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord if you choose, you can make me clean."
When Jesus came into Peter's house, he found his wife's mother prostrated with fever.
At evening-time they brought to him many demoniacs. He cast out the demons with a word, and healed all who were ill, that the word spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, He took upon himself our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases.
"Why are you afraid?" he said, "you men of little faith!" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm.
And here they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Courage, son, your sins are forgiven."
As he was saying these words to them, a ruler came up and knelt before him, saying. "My daughter has just died; but come, put your hand upon her, and she will live."
But a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him, and touched the tassel of his cloak.
And as he went on from thence two blind men followed Jesus, crying, "Have pity on us, Son of David!" And when he had gone indoors, they came to him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" asked Jesus. "Yes, Lord," they answered. read more. Then he touched their eyes, saying "According to your faith be it unto you," and their eyes were opened. Jesus charged them sternly, saying, "See to it that you let no one know."
And as they were departing a dumb demoniac was brought to him,
And Jesus continued to go throughout all the cities and towns, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and infirmity.
But when John heard, in the prison, what the Christ was doing, he sent by some of his disciples to ask him, "Are you the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?" read more. "Go and tell John," was Jesus' answer, "what you hear and see;
And in order to get a charge against him they asked him, "Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath?" (So that they might have something to accuse him.)
So when Jesus knew it, he withdrew from that place, and numbers of people followed him.
And all the crowds were amazed, and he began to say, "Can this be the Son of David?"
So when he landed he saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick.
"They need not go away," said Jesus, "do you, yourselves, give them something to eat."
and when the men of that country recognized him, they sent into all the country round about, and brought to him all the sick, and kept begging him to let them touch the tassel of his cloak??nd all who touched were completely cured.
Behold, there came to him a Canaanite woman of those parts. She wailed loudly, saying. "Pity me, Lord, thou Son of David! My daughter is possessed of an evil spirit."
Great crowds came to him, bringing the crippled, the blind, the maimed, the dumb, and many others. They laid them at his feet and he healed them;
he took the seven loaves and the fish, and gave thanks, then he broke them and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.
A wicked and faithless generation is seeking a sign, but no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away.
Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, by themselves apart.
"Master, take pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and sore distressed. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water.
"Nevertheless, that we may not give offense, go to the seaside, throw in your hook; take the first fish that rises, and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel in it. Take it and give it to them for us both."
A great multitude followed him, and he healed them there.
Then Jesus entered into the Temple courts, and cast out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
Then the blind and the lame came to him in the Temple courts, and he healed them.
For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will work great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if it were possible, the very elect.
"But immediately after the tribulation of those days, "The sun will be darkened, The moon will not shed her light, The stars will fall from the sky, And the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Now while they were on their way, some of the guard went into the city and told the high priest all that had happened. And when they had met with the elders and conferred together, they heavily bribed the soldiers and told them to say, read more. "His disciples came by night and stole him away, while we were asleep." "If this should reach the Governor's ears," they said, "we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment." So the soldiers took the money, and did as they were told; and this story has been noised abroad among the Jews, and continues to this day.
"What business have you with us, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God."
and he had no sooner stepped out of the boat, than a man out of the tombs came to meet him, a man with an unclean spirit,
He, however, repeatedly cautioned them not to let any one know about it, and directed them to give her something to eat.
And he was unable to do any miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them. And he wondered at their lack of faith. So he went among the neighboring villages, teaching.
"For that saying of yours, go home," he replied; "the demon has departed from your daughter."
Then Jesus charged them not to tell any one, but the more he charged them, the more they published it;
Then they came to Bethsaida, where some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and begged him to touch him.
Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages; they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink any poison it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and let down your nets for a haul."
Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, accompanied by his disciples, and a great crowd of people. Now when he drew near the gate of the city, behold, they were there carrying out one who was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
And he came near and touched the bier; the bearer stopped and he said, "Young man, I bid you to rise."
and, calling a certain two disciples to him, he sent them to Jesus, to say, "Are you 'the coming one,' or if we are to expect another?" So the men came to Jesus and said, "John the Baptist has sent us to ask you if you are the coming one, or if we are to expect another." read more. At that moment Jesus was healing many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and to many that were blind he was freely giving their sight. So he answered them. "Go your way, tell John what you have seen and heard. How the blind are seeing, the lame are walking, the lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, and the poor are hearing the proclamations of glad tidings.
But some of them said, "It is by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that he cast out demons." Others, tempting him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.
a woman was present who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. she was bent double, and could not lift herself up at all.
And as he was going certain village ten lepers met him.
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, there was a blind man who sat by the wayside begging.
Instantly he regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people who saw it gave praise to God.
"Permit me to do this at least," said Jesus, as he touched his ear and healed him.
Then the Jews asked Jesus, "What sign are you going to show us, seeing that you do these things?" "Destroy this temple," answered Jesus, "and in three days I will raise it up." read more. The Jews retorted, "This Temple took forty-six years to build, and will you 'raise it in three days'?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body; and when the disciples recalled what he had said,
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover, many believed in his name, when they beheld the signs which he did;
This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him. "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent from God; for no man can do these signs which you are continually doing, unless God is with him."
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him to come down and heal his son who was lying at the point of death.
And there was one man there for thirty-eight years in his infirmity.
But he answered them, "My Father has continued working until now, and I am working too."
But many of the crowd believed on him and began to say, "The Christ, when he comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?"
and they asked them, "Why have you not brought him?" The officers answered, "Never yet did a man speak like this man."
Now as he was passing along he saw a man, blind from birth.
"This is truly astonishing," said the man in reply, "that you do not know where he is from, and yet he has opened my eyes.
"For judgment am I come into the world, to make the sightless see, and to make the seeing blind." Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and asked, "We are not blind, are we?" read more. "If you were blind," Jesus answered them, "you would have no sin. But now you are declaring, 'We see'; so your sin remains.
"If I had not done among them such works as none ever did, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
"If I had not done among them such works as none ever did, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
When Jesus said "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground;
There were then many other signs which Jesus performed in the presence of his disciples, which have not been written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
And he said to them, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find." So they cast it, and now they could not haul it in for the multitude of fishes.
"Men of Israel, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene, a man accredited to you by God, through mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, as you yourselves know;
"Men of Israel, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene, a man accredited to you by God, through mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, as you yourselves know;
"I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have, this I am going to give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, walk!"
"be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand before you strong and well. "For he is the Stone, cast aside by you builders, which has become the head stone of the corner. read more. "There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, in which we must be saved."
Who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, For he had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. read more. Then the apostles laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. But when Simon perceived that, by the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Spirit was given, he offered them money saying, "Give me, too, this power, so that on whomever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him. "Your money perish with you, because you have supposed that with money you can obtain God's free gift!"
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message. And all the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles also. read more. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
and after Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak with tongues, and to prophesy.
But even though I myself or an angel from heaven were to preach any gospel other than that which I did preach to you, let him be accursed. I have said it before, and I now repeat it, if any one is preaching a gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be accursed.
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
But of this be sure. In the last days grievous times will come. For men will be selfish, mercenary, boastful, haughty, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreligious, read more. without natural affection, merciless, slanderous, dissolute, and brutal. They will hate goodness, they will be treacherous, reckless, blinded with pride, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God. For although they keep up the outward form of religion, they deny its power. Turn away from all such. Some of them creep into private houses and lead captive silly women who, laden with sins, and led captive by ever-changing impulses, are always learning but never able to arrive at knowledge of truth. As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also do these men withstand the truth; being corrupt in mind and worthless in all that concerns the faith.
God himself corroborating their testimony by signs and wonders and a variety of miraculous powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit imparted in accordance with his own will.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. read more. For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
Behold, he is about to come among the clouds; and every eye will see him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So shall it be, Amen.
And I saw another beast ascending from the land; and he had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon; and he exerts the full authority of the first beast before him, and he makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast whose death-stroke was healed. read more. And he performs great miracles, so that he even causes fire to come down to the earth from the sky, before men's eyes. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth, because of the miracles, which he is permitted to perform in the sight of the beast. He tells those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the sword-stroke, yet lived. And he was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak; and so that any one who would not worship the image of the beast should be put to death.
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed miracles in his presence to deceive those who had received the brand of the beast, and those who worshiped his image. The two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, blazing with brimstone.
Hastings
MIRACLES
1. The narratives
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and said to him. "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will give his angels charge over thee; Upon their hands they will bear thee up, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." "It is written again," answered Jesus, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him "I do choose," he said, "become clean," and immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Then Jesus said to the captain. "Go! As you have believed, so be it unto you." And his slave was healed in that very hour.
He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose and waited upon him.
"Why are you afraid?" he said, "you men of little faith!" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men were amazed, saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" read more. When he arrived on the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, he was met by two demoniacs who were coming out of the tombs. They were so violently fierce that no one dared pass along that road.
"But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins"??e then says to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your bed, and go to your home."
"But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins"??e then says to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your bed, and go to your home."
But Jesus turned and saw her and said, "Be of good courage, daughter, your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that hour.
When, however, the crowd had been driven out, he went in and took her hand, and the little girl woke up.
Then he touched their eyes, saying "According to your faith be it unto you," and their eyes were opened.
and when he had driven out the demon, the dumb spoke. The crowds were amazed, saying, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel!"
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Then he began to upbraid the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they had not repented.
Then they brought to him a blind and deaf demoniac; and he healed him, so that the dumb both spoke and saw.
And he did no mighty works there, because of their lack of faith.
Then he told the people to sit down on the grass, and after taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples, and the disciples handed them to the crowds.
Peter answered, "Master, if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water."
Then Jesus answered her. "O woman, great is your faith. It shall be for you even as you desire." And from that hour her daughter was healed.
A wicked and faithless generation is seeking a sign, but no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away.
Then Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, and it came out of him; and the boy was cured from that very hour.
"Nevertheless, that we may not give offense, go to the seaside, throw in your hook; take the first fish that rises, and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel in it. Take it and give it to them for us both."
"Nevertheless, that we may not give offense, go to the seaside, throw in your hook; take the first fish that rises, and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel in it. Take it and give it to them for us both."
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and they saw at once, and followed him.
and when he saw a solitary fig tree beside the road, he went to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, "Let no man gather fruit from you forever." And at once the fig tree withered away.
and when he saw a solitary fig tree beside the road, he went to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, "Let no man gather fruit from you forever." And at once the fig tree withered away.
And Jesus came forward to them and spoke to them, saying. "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
But Jesus rebuked him, saying. "Be quit! Come out of him."
And his ears were opened and the bond of his tongue was loosened, and he spoke plainly.
Then Jesus again put his hands on the man's eyes; and the man, staring straight ahead, recovered his sight and continued to see everything perfectly.
Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages; they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink any poison it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
And when they had done this they enclosed a great multitude of fish; and their nets began to break.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
Jesus noticed her and called to him and said, "Woman, you are free from your weakness."
So they carried it. And when the master of the feast had tasted of the water which had been made wine, not knowing where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn it knew, he called the bridegroom and said to him.
This beginning of signs Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and showed forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him there.
Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you all see signs and wonders, you will not believe."
Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you all see signs and wonders, you will not believe."
Jesus answered. "Go your way. Your son lives." And the man believed the word which Jesus spoke to him, and started to go home.
"But I have testimony greater than that of John; for the work which the Father has given me to bring to completion??he work which I am doing??ears testimony concerning me, that the Father has sent me.
So when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, "This is in the truth the Prophet who is to come into the world."
Then he said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (a word which means "sent"). So the man went and washed his eyes, and came back seeing.
Then they rolled the stone away; and Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast listened to me. And I knew that thou art ever listening to me, but for the sake of the crowd who are standing about, I said it, in order that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
Out came the dead man, wrapped hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his face bound up in a napkin. Jesus said to them, "Untie him, and let him go."
With these words Jesus went away and hid himself from them. But although he had wrought such signs in their presence, still they did not believe in him.
"Believe me, all of you, that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very words' sake.
And he said to them, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find." So they cast it, and now they could not haul it in for the multitude of fishes.
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were wrought by the apostles.
Then taking his right hand he lifted him up. Instantly his feet and ankle-bones were strengthened;
As Ananias heard these words he fell down and expired, and all who heard were awe-struck.
Instantly she fell down at his feet and expired, and when the young men came in they found her dead, and carried her out and buried her husband.
Many signs and wonders continued to be wrought among the people by the hands of the apostles, and by common consent they all would meet in Solomon's Porch,
In consequence people would even bring out their sick into the streets, and place them upon beds and pallets as Peter was passing, that at least his shadow might fall upon some of them.
and they apprehended the apostles, and threw them into the public prison.
Meanwhile Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
And Simon himself also believed, and after his baptism he remained with Philip, and was full of amazement as he beheld the signs and striking miracles which were performed.
Peter said to him. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you! Rise and make your own bed!"
But Peter put them all out, and kneeled down, and prayed; and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise!" She opened her eyes, and on seeing Peter she sat up.
"Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me."
"The Lord's hand is now upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." Instantly there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and groping about, he sought some one to lead him by the hand.
He was listening while Paul was preaching, and Paul, looking intently at him, and perceiving that he had faith to be made whole,
She persisted in this for many days, until Paul, worn out, turned round and said to the spirit, "I charge you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her." In that very hour it came out of her.
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison-house were shaken; and instantly all the doors were opened, and every one's chains fell off.
so much so, that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick; and their diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
Then Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and embracing him, said: "Do not lament; his life is still in him."
Now when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and thrown them on the fire, a viper crawled out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
It happened however that the father of Publius was lying ill of fever and dysentery. So Paul went to see him and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him.
to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
For the very first thing I taught you was that I had myself been taught, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, that he was buried, and that he was raised the third day, according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, and that he was raised the third day, according to the Scriptures,
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
Morish
No sincere believer in the inspiration of scripture can have a doubt as to real miracles having been wrought by the power of God both in O.T. and N.T. times. It is philosophy so-called, or scepticism, that mystifies the subject. Much is said about 'the laws of nature;' and it is confidently affirmed that these are irrevocable and cannot be departed from. To which is added that laws of nature previously unknown are frequently being discovered, and if our forefathers could witness the application of some of the more recent discoveries, as the computer, mobile telephone, etc., they would judge that miracles were being performed. So, it is argued, the actions recorded in scripture as miracles, were merely the bringing into use some law of nature which had been hidden up to that time.
All this is based upon a fallacy. There are no laws of nature, as if nature made its own laws: there are laws in nature, which God in His wisdom as Creator was pleased to make; but He who made those laws has surely the same power to suspend them when He pleases. Though laws in nature hitherto unknown are being discovered from time to time, they in no way account for such things as dead persons being raised to life, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, and demons being cast out of those who were possessed by them. Neither has natural philosophy discovered any law that will account for such a thing as an iron axe-head swimming in water. The simple truth is that God, for wise purposes, allowed some of the natural laws to be suspended, and at times He put forth His almighty power, as in supplying the Israelites with manna from heaven, and in feeding thousands from a few loaves and fishes, or by recalling life that had left the body.
The words translated 'miracle' in the O.T. are
1. oth, 'a sign,' as it is often translated, and in some places 'token.' Nu 14:22; De 11:3.
2. mopheth, 'a wonder,' as it is mostly translated: it is something out of the ordinary course of events. Ex 7:9; De 29:3.
3. pala, 'wonderful, marvellous.' Jg 6:13.
Moses was enabled to work miracles for two distinct objects. One was in order to convince the children of Israel that God had sent him. God gave him three signs to perform before them: his rod became a serpent, and was again a rod; his hand became leprous, and was then restored; and he could turn the water of the Nile into blood. Ex 4:1-9.
The other miracles, wrought by him in Egypt, were to show to Pharaoh the mighty power of God, who said, I will "multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt . . . . and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt." Ex 7:3-5. The ten plagues followed, which were miracles or signs of the power of God
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And behold! a leper came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord if you choose, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him "I do choose," he said, "become clean," and immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. read more. Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, as an evidence to them." When he entered Capernaum, an army captain came, and entered him, saying, "Lord, my slave at home is lying ill with paralysis, in terrible agony." "I will come and heal him," said Jesus. "Lord, "said the captain in reply, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof, but speak the word only, and my slave will be cured, "For I myself also am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under me. To one man I say 'Go,' and he goes; to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." As Jesus listened to this reply he was astonished, and said to those who followed him. "In solemn truth I tell you that I have found faith like this in any Israelite. "I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west, and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. "but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the captain. "Go! As you have believed, so be it unto you." And his slave was healed in that very hour. When Jesus came into Peter's house, he found his wife's mother prostrated with fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose and waited upon him.
Then he went in board a fishing-boat, his disciples accompanying him; and behold, a sudden storm arose on the sea, so that the boat began to be buried by the waves. read more. But he was asleep. And they came and woke him, saying. "Lord save us! We are drowning!" "Why are you afraid?" he said, "you men of little faith!" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men were amazed, saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" When he arrived on the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, he was met by two demoniacs who were coming out of the tombs. They were so violently fierce that no one dared pass along that road. "You Son of God," they shouted, "what have you to do with us? Are you come to torment us before the time?" Now there was, at some distance from them, a herd of many swine feeding; and the demons began entreating him. "If you are driving us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." He answered, "Go!" So they came out of the men, and went into the swine, and behold! the entire herd rushed headlong down from the cliff into the sea, and perished in the water. The swineherds fled. They went away into the city and told all about it, and what had befallen the demoniacs. At once all the citizens came out to meet Jesus; and when they had seen him, they begged him to move away from their country.
And here they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Courage, son, your sins are forgiven." And behold! certain scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." read more. And because Jesus knew well their thought, he said: "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? "But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins"??e then says to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your bed, and go to your home." And he rose and went to his home.
As he was saying these words to them, a ruler came up and knelt before him, saying. "My daughter has just died; but come, put your hand upon her, and she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. read more. But a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him, and touched the tassel of his cloak.
But a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him, and touched the tassel of his cloak. For she said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."
For she said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." But Jesus turned and saw her and said, "Be of good courage, daughter, your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that hour.
But Jesus turned and saw her and said, "Be of good courage, daughter, your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that hour. Now when Jesus had come into the house of the ruler, and had seen the flute-players and the wailing crowd, he said, read more. "Leave the room, for the little girl is not dead, she is sleeping." And they began laughing at him. When, however, the crowd had been driven out, he went in and took her hand, and the little girl woke up. And the report of this spread throughout that whole region. And as he went on from thence two blind men followed Jesus, crying, "Have pity on us, Son of David!" And when he had gone indoors, they came to him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" asked Jesus. "Yes, Lord," they answered. Then he touched their eyes, saying "According to your faith be it unto you," and their eyes were opened. Jesus charged them sternly, saying, "See to it that you let no one know." But they went and published his fame in that whole region. And as they were departing a dumb demoniac was brought to him, and when he had driven out the demon, the dumb spoke. The crowds were amazed, saying, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel!"
And in order to get a charge against him they asked him, "Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath?" (So that they might have something to accuse him.) "Is there a man of you," he replied, "who has but a single sheep, who will not lay hold of it and lift it out, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath Day? read more. "And how much more is a man worth than a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
Then they brought to him a blind and deaf demoniac; and he healed him, so that the dumb both spoke and saw.
As twilight fell, his disciples came to him and said: "This is a lonely spot, and the day is far spent; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." "They need not go away," said Jesus, "do you, yourselves, give them something to eat." read more. "We have nothing here," they replied, "except five loaves and two fishes." "Bring them here to me," said Jesus. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass, and after taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples, and the disciples handed them to the crowds. And they all ate and were fully satisfied, and they took up of the fragments that remained, twelve basketfuls. Those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
But the boat was already a long way from shore, buffeted by the waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night he came toward them, walking upon the sea, read more. but when the disciples saw him walking upon the sea, they were terrified. "It is a phantom," they said, and cried out for fear. But at once Jesus spoke to them, "Courage," he said, "it is I. Fear not." Peter answered, "Master, if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water." "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter got down from the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and as he began to sink, he cried out, "Master, save me!" At once Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of him, saying to him. "O little faith! What made you doubt?" Then as they climbed into the boat the wind grew weary, and the men in the boat fell upon their knees before him, saying, "You are, indeed, the Son of God."
Jesus then left that place, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Behold, there came to him a Canaanite woman of those parts. She wailed loudly, saying. "Pity me, Lord, thou Son of David! My daughter is possessed of an evil spirit." read more. But he answered her not a word. Then the disciples came up and kept beseeching him. "Send her away," they said, "because she wails after us." In reply he said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and knelt to him and said, "Lord, do help me." He answered, "It is not seemly to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." "True, Lord," she said, "but even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her. "O woman, great is your faith. It shall be for you even as you desire." And from that hour her daughter was healed.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said: "My heart yearns over the crowd, for they have been with me now three days, and they have nothing to eat. I am not willing to send them away hungry, for fear they faint on the road." "In a lonely place like this," asked the disciple. "where can we get bread enough to satisfy such a crowd?" read more. "How many loaves have you?" answered Jesus. They replied, "Seven, and a few small fish. So when he had summoned the crowd, and seated them upon the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and gave thanks, then he broke them and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the crowd. And all ate and were satisfied, and of the fragments that remained they gathered seven large basketfuls. And those who ate numbered four thousand, besides the women and children.
As they reached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, and fell on his knees before him, saying. "Master, take pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and sore distressed. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. read more. "And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him." In reply Jesus said: "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I endure you? Bring him here to me!" Then Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, and it came out of him; and the boy was cured from that very hour.
As they came into Capernaum the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Does not your Teacher pay the temple tax?" "Indeed he does," answered Peter. But on Peter's entering the house, Jesus forestalled him, saying. "How does it seem to you, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect customs or taxes??rom their own people, or from aliens?" read more. And when he replied, "From aliens," Jesus said: "Then their people go free. "Nevertheless, that we may not give offense, go to the seaside, throw in your hook; take the first fish that rises, and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel in it. Take it and give it to them for us both."
And two blind men, sitting by the side of the road, heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried out, "Have pity on us, Master, Son of David!" But the crowd checked them, to make them keep still. They cried out all the louder, saying, "Master, have pity on us, Son of David!" read more. Then Jesus stopped and called to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Master," they answered, "let our eyes be opened." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and they saw at once, and followed him.
At dawn, when he was on his way back into the city, he was hungry; and when he saw a solitary fig tree beside the road, he went to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, "Let no man gather fruit from you forever." And at once the fig tree withered away. read more. When his disciples saw this, they were astonished. "How instantaneously," they said, "the fig tree withered!" In reply Jesus said to them, "In solemn truth I tell you that if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Up, cast yourself into the sea!' it shall be done; "and everything that you ask for in your prayers you shall have, if you believe."
For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will work great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if it were possible, the very elect.
And at that very moment, there in their synagogue, a man in the grip of an unclean spirit shrieked out. "What business have you with us, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God." read more. But Jesus rebuked him, saying. "Be quit! Come out of him." So the unclean spirit, after tearing him, came out of him with a loud cry; and every one was amazed so that they began questioning among themselves. "What does this mean? A new teaching with authority? He lays commands even upon unclean spirits and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere through that part of Galilee.
Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick of fever, and without delay they told him about her. So he came and took her hand and raised her up. The fever left her at once, and she began to wait upon them.
One day a leper cane to him and besought him as he knelt down to him, saying, "If you choose, you are able to cleanse me." Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose, be clean!" read more. The leprosy at once left him, and he was made clean. Jesus immediately sent him away, charging him sternly and saying. "See you say nothing to any one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your purification what Moses commanded for a testimony to them." But he went out and began to tell every one and to publish it broadcast, so that Jesus could no longer enter any town openly; but he had to remain outside in lonely places, and people kept coming to him from every quarter.
While he was speaking his message, they came bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four men. When they could not get him near to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof under which he stood, and after making an opening, they let down the cot on which the paralytic was lying. read more. Then Jesus, when he perceived their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son your sins are forgiven." But there were some Scribes sitting there who reasoned in their hearts. "Why does this man speak like this? He blasphemes. Who is able to forgive sins but One, God himself?" Jesus clearly perceived at once be the Spirit that they were thus reasoning in their hearts and said to them. "Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your cot and walk'? But to let you see that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"??e said to the paralytic??11 "I bid you rise, take up your cot, and go home."
The man rose, at once took up his cot, and went out before them all; at which they were all astounded, and gave God glory, saying, "We never saw anything like this."
So, leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them just as he was in the boat; and the other boats were with him. But a great gale of wind came up, and the waves were dashing into the boat so that it began to fill. read more. Now he himself was sleeping on the cushion in the stern, so they woke him up, saying, "Master, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" The wind fell, and there ensued a great calm. Then he said to them. "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" Then they were awestruck, and said one to another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him!"
Then they came to the country of the Gadarenes, on the opposite side of the sea; and he had no sooner stepped out of the boat, than a man out of the tombs came to meet him, a man with an unclean spirit, read more. who lived among the tombs. Not even with a chain could any man bind him, for he had been bound with fetters and chains again and again, and had snapped the chains, and broken the fetters; and there was no one strong enough to master him. And always, night and day, he remained among the tombs and in the mountains, shrieking and gashing himself with stones. As he caught sight of Jesus from afar, he ran and knelt before him, and with a shriek he cried out in a loud voice. "Jesus, son of God most high, what business have you with me? I adjure you by God, torment me not!" For Jesus was saying, "Foul spirit, come out of the man." He continued asking him, "What is your mane?" "Legion is my name, for we are many." Over and over he continued to beg Jesus not to send them away out of the country. Now there was on the hillside a great drove of swine feeding. So the spirits begged him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them." And he gave them leave. And out came the foul spirits and entered the swine; and the drove rushed down from the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand, and were choked in the sea. On this the swineherds ran away and spread the news in town and country. So the people went to see what had happened. When they got to Jesus they found the demoniac sitting there clothed and in his right mind??he man who had had the "Legion"??nd they were awestruck. And those who had been eye-witnesses told them what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. Then they began to beg Jesus to depart from their district. As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging to go with him; but he said, "Go home to your own people, and tell them what great things God has done for you, and has had mercy upon you." So he went and began to publish abroad in the District of the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and every one was astonished and all men marveled.
Then one of the wardens of the synagogue, named Jairus, came up, and as soon as he saw Jesus, fell at his feet, with many entreaties, "My little daughter," he said, "is dying. I beseech you, come and lay your hands on her, that she may recover and live." read more. So he went with him, and a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. Now there was a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years,
Now there was a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, but was no better; on the contrary, rather grew worse.
and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, but was no better; on the contrary, rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came in the crowd behind and touched his cloak.
She had heard about Jesus, so she came in the crowd behind and touched his cloak. "If I can touch even his clothes," she kept saying to herself, "I shall get well."
"If I can touch even his clothes," she kept saying to herself, "I shall get well." At once the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was cured of her complaint.
At once the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was cured of her complaint. Jesus, instantly conscious that the power within him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my clothes?"
Jesus, instantly conscious that the power within him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the crowd thronging about you," said his disciples, "and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'"
"You see the crowd thronging about you," said his disciples, "and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" But he kept looking about to see who had done it,
But he kept looking about to see who had done it, and the woman knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
and the woman knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. "Daughter," he said, "your faith has saved you. Go in peace, and be cured of your complaint."
"Daughter," he said, "your faith has saved you. Go in peace, and be cured of your complaint." While he was still speaking men came from the house of the warden of the synagogue to tell him, "Your daughter is dead, why trouble the Teacher any further?" read more. But Jesus, paying no attention to the remark, said to the warden of the synagogue, "Have no fear, only believe." He would not permit any one to go with him, except Peter and James and John, the brother of James. As they came to the house of the warden of the synagogue, he gazed upon a tumult, many weeping and wailing shrilly. "Why all this tumult and loud weeping?" he asked. "The child is not dead, but asleep." And they began to laugh him to scorn. Then he put them all outside, took the father and mother of the child and those he brought with him, and entered the room where the child was lying. Then he took the child's hand and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," that is to say, "Little girl, I am speaking to you; arise!" And instantly the little girl stood up, and began to walk, for she was twelve years old, They were at once beside themselves with utter amazement. He, however, repeatedly cautioned them not to let any one know about it, and directed them to give her something to eat.
Then when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him and said: "This place is desert, and the day is now far spent. Send the people away so that they may go to the farms and villages about here, and buy themselves something to eat." read more. In answer he said to them, "You yourselves are to give them food." "Are we to go and buy fifty dollars worth of bread," they said, "and give them food?" "How many loaves have you?" he answered. "Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fishes." Then he directed them to make all sit down by companies on the green grass. And they sat down like beds in a garden, by hundreds and by fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven he blessed, broke the loaves in pieces, and kept giving to the disciples to distribute. The two fish also he divided to them all. All ate and had enough; and they carried away broken fragments of bread and of fish, enough to fill twelve baskets. Those who ate the bread were five thousand adult men.
And when evening came, the boat was half-way across the sea, while he was on shore alone; but when he saw them distressed in rowing (for the wind was against them), about the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking upon the sea, read more. they thought it was an apparition and shrieked aloud, for they all saw him and were terrified. But he at once spoke with them, saying. "Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!" Then he got into the boat beside them, and the wind ceased, and they were utterly astounded,
and began running over that whole country, and carrying the sick about on their beds, wherever they heard he was. And whenever he entered into villages or cities or the fields they would lay the sick in the market-places and beseech him to let them touch even the tassel of his cloak, and all who touched him were made well.
After he rose and left that place, he went away into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Here he went into a house and wished no one to know it but he could not be hid. Forthwith a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet read more. (the woman was a Greek, a Syro-phoenician by race), and again and again she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. "Let the children be filled first," he said to her. "It is unseemly to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." "True, Master," she answered, "but the dogs under the table do pick up the children's crumbs." "For that saying of yours, go home," he replied; "the demon has departed from your daughter." So she went home, and found the child lying in her bed and the demon departed. Again he left the region of Tyre, and passed through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, crossing the District of the Ten Towns. And they brought to him a deaf man who stammered, and begged him to lay his hands upon him. So Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put his finger in the man's ears, and moistened his tongue with saliva; then looking up to heaven with a sigh, he said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened.") And his ears were opened and the bond of his tongue was loosened, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus charged them not to tell any one, but the more he charged them, the more they published it; and people were amazed beyond measure saying. "How successfully he does things! Even the deaf he makes to hear, and the dumb to speak."
Then they came to Bethsaida, where some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and begged him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, he led him outside the village; and, after spitting on his eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, "Can you make out anything?" read more. The man looked up and said, "I can make out the people, for as they move about, I see them like trees." Then Jesus again put his hands on the man's eyes; and the man, staring straight ahead, recovered his sight and continued to see everything perfectly. Then Jesus sent him home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."
When they rejoined the disciples they saw a great crowd surrounding them, and some Scribes disputing with them. As soon as they saw him, all the people were astounded and ran up to greet him. read more. He asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" "Master," answered one of the crowd, "I brought my son to you; he has a dumb spirit in him; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and is wasting away. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation!" replied Jesus; "how long must I be with you? How long must I be patient with you? Bring him to me." So they brought the boy to him, and when he saw Jesus, the spirit at once convulsed him, and he fell to the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered; "and often it has thrown him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him. "'If you can'! All things can be for one who believes." The boy's father with a cry said instantly. "I do believe; help my unbelief." And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit. "You dumb and deaf spirit," he said, "come out of him, I command you, and never enter him again." So with a loud shriek it came out, after throwing the boy into convulsion after convulsion. The boy looked like a corpse, so that most of them said that he was dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he stood up.
Then they reached Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting beside the road. Hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began shouting and saying, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!" read more. and many kept rebuking him and telling him to be quiet, but he only shouted much louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then Jesus stood still, saying, "Call him." So they called the blind man, and said, "Courage, rise, he is calling you." The man threw off his cloak, sprang to his feet, and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do?" said Jesus, addressing him. And the blind man answered, "O Rabboni, that I might receive my sight!" "Go," said Jesus, "your own faith has saved you," and immediately he received his sight, and began to follow Jesus along the road.
The next day after leaving Bethany he was hungry, and seeing a fig tree in the distance full of leaves, he came to see if he could find anything on it, and found on it nothing but leaves (for it was not the time of figs). read more. So, addressing the tree, he said, "Let no man ever more eat fruit from you." And the disciples heard it. Presently they reached Jerusalem, and, after entering the Temple courts, Jesus began to drive out those who were buying and selling there, and to upset the tables of the money-changers, and the stalls of those who sold doves, and he would not allow any one to carry a vessel through the Temple courts, Then he began to teach. "Is it not written," he said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers." The chief priests and the Scribes heard this, and they began to seek means of destroying him; for they were afraid of him because all the crowd were greatly struck with his teaching. Now every evening he used to go outside the city; and as they (he and his disciples) were passing along in the morning, they saw the fig tree already withered from the root. Then Peter remembered, and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi, the fig tree which you cursed is withered up." "Take hold on God's faithfulness," said Jesus to them in reply. "In solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall say to this mountain, 'Up and hurl yourself into the sea!' and shall not doubt in his heart, but on the contrary shall believe that what he says will happen, it will be granted him. That is why I am telling you that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be yours.
He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves shall be condemned. Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages; read more. they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink any poison it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
And there was in the synagogue a man possessed by the spirit of a foul demon. He cried out, in a loud voice, saying. "Ha! Jesus of Nazareth, what business have you with us? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, you holy one of God!" read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying. "Be quiet! Come out of him." And when the demon had thrown the man down before them, he came out of him without doing him any harm. All were amazed, and began to ask one another, saying. "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out." And the talk about him spread into every locality in the surrounding country. Now when he rose and left the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon, where Simon's mother-in-law lay sick of a great fever. And they kept entreating him for her. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and at once she arose and ministered unto them.
On one occasion when he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, the crowd pressed upon him to listen to the word of God. But he saw two fishing-boats on the shore of the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. read more. He went on board one of the boats which belonged to Simon, and asked him to push out a little way from land. Then he sat down and continued to teach the crowd from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and let down your nets for a haul." "Master," answered Simon, "although we toiled all night, we took nothing; but at your bidding I will let down the nets." And when they had done this they enclosed a great multitude of fish; and their nets began to break. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!" (For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the haul of fish which they had made; and so were Simon's partners, James and John, sons of Zebedee.) But Jesus answered Simon. "Fear not; from this time on, you will be catching men." So when they had brought their boats to land they left everything and followed him. Another time when he was in one of their cities, there was a man there full of leprosy. And he, upon seeing Jesus, fell on his face and implored him. "Lord," he said, "if only you choose you can make me clean." And he stretched out his hand and touching him, said: "I do choose; be made clean." And instantly the leprosy left him. Jesus ordered him to tell no one, "But be off," he said, "show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." But all the more the report about him continued to spread; and great crowds began to come together to hear him, and to be healed of their infirmities.
And behold there came men carrying a paralytic on a bed; and they tried to bring him and lay him before Jesus, but they could not because of the crowd. So they went up on the roof, and let him down through the tiling, with his bed, into the crowd, before Jesus. read more. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you!" And the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil. "Who is this?" they asked, "speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Conscious of their cavilings, Jesus answered, saying. "What is this caviling in your hearts? Which is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Rise and walk?" But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins (he said to the paralytic), "I bid you rise, take up your bed, and go to your house." And instantly he arose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and went away to his house, glorifying God. Astonishment fell upon them all, and they began to glorify God, and they were filled with awe, and they said, "We have seen strange things today."
On another Sabbath he went into a synagogue and was teaching; and there was there a man whose right hand was withered. Now the Scribes and Pharisees kept watching to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might be able to bring on accusations to him. read more. He was all along aware of their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Rise, and stand there in the midst." So he rose and stood. Then Jesus said to them. "I ask you whether it is lawful on the Sabbath Day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to destroy it?" Then he looked round about on them in anger, and said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" He did so; and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury, and they began to talk over together what they could do to Jesus.
After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he went to Capernaum. Here the slave of a certain Roman captain, a man dear to his master, was ill, and at the point of death. read more. So when the captain heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to ask him to come and save his slave. And they, when they reached Jesus, asked him earnestly to do this. "He deserves that you should do this," they said, "for he loves our nation, and himself has built a synagogue for us." So Jesus started to go with them, but while he was not far from the house, the captain sent friends to him with a message. "Lord do not trouble yourself, for I am not fit that you should come under my roof, "and so I did not think myself worthy to come to you; but speak the word, and let my man be cured. "For I also am a man obedient to authority, and have soldiers under me. And I say to one 'come,' and he comes, and to my slave 'do this or that,' and he does it." But when Jesus heard this he was astonished and he turned and said to the crowd that was following him, "I tell you that not even in Israel have I found faith like that." And those who had been sent, on returning to the house, found the slave well. Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, accompanied by his disciples, and a great crowd of people. Now when he drew near the gate of the city, behold, they were there carrying out one who was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A great crowd accompanied her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came near and touched the bier; the bearer stopped and he said, "Young man, I bid you to rise." And he who was dead sat up and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother. And awe took hold on them all, and they began to glorify God saying. "A great prophet has risen among us;" and, "God has visited his people." And the report of what Jesus had done went forth throughout Judea and the surrounding regions.
Now it happened that one of these days he got into a boat, And him his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side of the lake." So they set sail. While they were sailing he fell asleep. And there fell on the lake a squall of wind, so that the boat began to fill, and they to be in deadly peril. read more. Then they came to him and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are lost!" Then he awoke, and rebuked the winds and the raging of the sea. They ceased, and there was a calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked them, In their terror they were filled with amazement, and said to one another, "Who is this who commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey him?" Then they put in at the country of Gadarenes, which is across from Galilee. When he landed here he was met by a certain townsman who was possessed by demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes and nor lived in any house, but in tombs. When he saw Jesus he cried out, and fell down before him, and in a loud voice exclaimed. "What have we to do with you, Jesus, you son of God Most High? I implore you to torment me not!" For Jesus was already commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him and held him, and they again and again kept him under guard, and put him in chains and fetters. But he would break his bonds asunder, as he was driven by the demon in to the desert. So Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, "Legion" (for many demons had entered into him). So they besought Jesus not to command them to go away into the abyss. Now there was a great herd of swine feeding on the hillside, and the demons begged him to give them leave to enter them. He gave them leave. The demons came out of the man, and entered into the swine; the herd rushed violently down over the cliff into the lake. And those who saw what had happened fled and reported it in the town and the villages. Then the people came out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man out of whom the demons had gone sitting clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus. And they were terrified. Then those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been saved. And the whole populace of Gadarenes and the surrounding territory besought Jesus to go away from them; for they were terror-stricken. So he entered a boat and returned. But the man out of whom the demons had gone kept begging him that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away saying, "Return to your home, and tell them all that God has done for you." So he went away and throughout the whole city he published how much Jesus had done for him.
for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jarius, and he was ruler in the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and begged him to come into his house; for he had only one daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. But as he went the crowds continued to press in on him. read more. And a woman who for twelve years had had a hemorrhage, and had spent on doctors all that she had, but none had cured her,
And a woman who for twelve years had had a hemorrhage, and had spent on doctors all that she had, but none had cured her, came close behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; and instantly the hemorrhage ceased.
came close behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; and instantly the hemorrhage ceased. "Who is that touched me?" said Jesus and when everybody denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing upon you."
"Who is that touched me?" said Jesus and when everybody denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing upon you." But Jesus said: "Some one did touch me; for I perceived that the power was proceeding out of me."
But Jesus said: "Some one did touch me; for I perceived that the power was proceeding out of me." Then the woman, who saw that she had not escaped notice, came trembling, and falling down before him, stated before the people for what reason she had touched him, and how she had been instantly healed.
Then the woman, who saw that she had not escaped notice, came trembling, and falling down before him, stated before the people for what reason she had touched him, and how she had been instantly healed. "Daughter," he said "your faith has made you well, go on into peace."
"Daughter," he said "your faith has made you well, go on into peace." As he was speaking some one came from the house of the synagogue, saying. "Your daughter is dead! Do not trouble the Master." read more. But Jesus heard and answered. "Have no fear. Only believe, and she shall be restored." So he came to the house, and would not permit anyone to go in with him except Peter and John and James, and the father and Mother of the little girl. The people were weeping and bewailing her, but he said: "Stop your wailing; for she is not dead, but asleep." They began to laugh him to scorn, because they knew well that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called to her, "Little daughter, rise!" And her spirit returned and instantly she stood up. He bade them to get her some food. Her parents were amazed; but he forbade them to tell any one what had been done.
But now the day began to decline, and the twelve came to him and said: "Send away the crowd so that they may go into the villages and surrounding the country to lodge and buy provisions; for here we are on a solitary place." "Do you yourselves give them food," he answered. "We have nothing," they replied "Except five loaves, and a couple fish, unless you mean for us to go and buy provisions for all the crowd." read more. (For there were about five thousand men.) "Make them sit down in table-companies, of about fifty each," he said to his disciples. This they did, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up in heaven, he blessed them, broke them in pieces, and began to giving to his disciples to apportion among the crowd. So they ate and were filled, all of them. And there was picked up that which remained over to them, of broken pieces, twelve basketfuls.
It happened the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, that a large crowd came to meet him; and a man called out of the crowd saying. "Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son; for he is my only boy, read more. "and behold a spirit seizes hold of him, and rudely he shouts out, It convulses him till he foams; indeed it will hardly leave off bruising him sorely. "I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." "O faithless and perverse generation," said Jesus, "how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son to me." But while he was yet coming the demon dashed him down, and cruelly convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and cured the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Once he was casting out a dumb demon, and when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people wondered.
a woman was present who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. she was bent double, and could not lift herself up at all. Jesus noticed her and called to him and said, "Woman, you are free from your weakness." read more. Then he placed his hand on her, and she instantly stood upright and began to give glory to God. But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant at Jesus for healing her on the Sabbath, and said to the crowd. "There are six days of the week on which men ought to work. Therefore come during those, and get cured, but not on the Sabbath Day." But the Lord answered him. "Hypocrites!" he said, "does not each one of you loose his ox or his ass from the stall on the Sabbath Day, and lead it to water, "and this woman, who is the daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound these eighteen years, ought she not have been loosened from bondage, though the day be the Sabbath?" As he said this, all adversaries were put to shame; and all the crowd rejoiced for the glorious things that he continually did.
Now it happened that as he went his way to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was going certain village ten lepers met him. read more. They stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, take pity on us." Perceiving this he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priest." And as they went they were made clean. Now one of them, as he saw that he was cured, came back, glorifying God in a loud voice, and he fell on his face at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. "Were there not ten cleansed?" asked Jesus, "but where are the nine? "Are there none found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?" And he said unto him, "Rise and go, your faith has healed you."
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, there was a blind man who sat by the wayside begging. He heard the crowd passing and asked what the matter was. read more. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." Then he shouted out, saying, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me!" Those who went ahead began to reprove him and to tell him to be still; but he kept clamorously shouting all the more, "Son of David, take pity on me!" So Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to him. When he was come near to him he asked him "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he answered, "that I might see again." "Receive your sight," said Jesus, "your faith has saved you." Instantly he regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people who saw it gave praise to God.
Then one of them did strike a blow at the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. "Permit me to do this at least," said Jesus, as he touched his ear and healed him.
Now two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the wedding, and his disciples. read more. And when the wine ran short, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine." "Woman," said Jesus, "what have you to do with me? My time is not yet come." His mother said to the attendants, "Whatever he may tell you to do, do it." Now there were six stone water-jars standing there, according to the Jewish rites of purification, each holding about twenty gallons. Jesus said, "Fill up the jars with water." So they filled them brimful. Then he said, "Draw some out now, and carry it to the master of the feast." So they carried it. And when the master of the feast had tasted of the water which had been made wine, not knowing where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn it knew, he called the bridegroom and said to him. "Everybody serves first the good wine, and when people have drunk freely, the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This beginning of signs Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and showed forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him there.
So he came back again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. Now there was one of the king's officers whose son was lying ill at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him to come down and heal his son who was lying at the point of death. read more. Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you all see signs and wonders, you will not believe." "Sir," said the king's officer, "come down before my little boy dies." Jesus answered. "Go your way. Your son lives." And the man believed the word which Jesus spoke to him, and started to go home. And when he was already on his way down, his slaves met him, saying that his boy was living. So he asked them at what hour he had begun mend. They answered, "Yesterday, about one o'clock, the fever left him." Then the father realized that it had left him at the very hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son lives," and he himself believed, and his whole household. This is the second sign which Jesus performed, on returning from Judea to Galilee.
he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he intended to do. read more. "Thirty-five dollars worth of bread," answered Philip, "is not enough for them, so that each can take a morsel." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon, said to him. "There is a lad who has five barley loaves and a couple of fish; but what is that among so many?" "Make the men sit down," said Jesus. The ground was covered with thick grass; so the men sat down, in numbers about five thousand. "of righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you will no longer see me; Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them among those who were seated; in like manner also of the fish, as much as they wished, and when they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the fragments that are left, so that nothing may be wasted." So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves??he broken pieces that were left after they had eaten. So when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, "This is in the truth the Prophet who is to come into the world."
When evening came on, his disciples went down to the sea. There they got in a boat, and started across the sea for Capernaum. The darkness had already fallen, read more. Jesus had not yet come to them, and the sea began to rise, because a strong wind was blowing. After they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking upon the sea, and drawing near to the boat, and they were terrified; but he said to them, "It is I, be not afraid." Then they were willing to take him on board, and immediately the boat reached the shore they were making for.
Jesus therefore, again shuddering in himself with indignation, came to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone lying upon it. "Roll away the stone," said Jesus. "Master," said Martha, the sister of the dead man "he is offensive by this time, for he has been four days in the tomb." read more. Jesus answered her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you should see the glory of God?" Then they rolled the stone away; and Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast listened to me. And I knew that thou art ever listening to me, but for the sake of the crowd who are standing about, I said it, in order that they may believe that thou hast sent me." When he had said this he cried with a great voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" Out came the dead man, wrapped hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his face bound up in a napkin. Jesus said to them, "Untie him, and let him go."
After this Jesus showed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He showed himself as follows. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, called "The Twin," and Nathanael, from Cana of Galilee, and the two sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They answered him, "And we are going with you." So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout the night they caught nothing. But when day was dawning Jesus stood on the beach. The disciples, however, did not recognize that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, "Lads, you haven't any fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." And he said to them, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find." So they cast it, and now they could not haul it in for the multitude of fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" On hearing that it was the Lord, Simon Peter girt his fisher's coat about him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the water. The rest of the disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore??nly about a hundred yards??ragging in the net full of fish. When they got to the shore they beheld a charcoal fire ready laid, with fish on it, and some bread. "Bring some of the fish you have just caught," Jesus told them. So Simon Peter went and dragged the net to shore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; but for all this number the net was not torn. "Come and have breakfast," said Jesus to them. Not one of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" Knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus went and took bread and gave it to them, and the fish also. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after he had risen from among the dead.
But there are also many other things which Jesus did; if every one of them were to be recorded in detail I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written.
"Men of Israel, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene, a man accredited to you by God, through mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, as you yourselves know;
Now for some time a man named Simon had been practicing sorcery in that city, and had amazed the people of Samaria. He gave himself out to be some great person.
They had John Mark as an assistant; and after going through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, who belonged to the suite of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas, "the sorcerer," for that is the translation of his name, opposed them, and tried to divert the proconsul from the faith.
And some of them who had practised magic arts, collected their books, and burned them in the presence of all. And they counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand silver coins.
In truth the signs of the true apostle were wrought among you in all patience by signs and marvels and powers.
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting, which is my token in every letter. Thus I write??18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And he performs great miracles, so that he even causes fire to come down to the earth from the sky, before men's eyes. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth, because of the miracles, which he is permitted to perform in the sight of the beast. He tells those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the sword-stroke, yet lived.
Smith
Miracles.
A miracle may be defined to be a plain and manifest exercise by a man, or by God at the call of a man, of those powers which belong only to the Creator and Lord of nature; and this for the declared object of attesting that a divine mission is given to that man. It is not, therefore, the wonder, the exception to common experience, that constitutes the miracle, as is assumed both in the popular use of the word and by most objectors against miracles. No phenomenon in nature, however unusual, no event in the course of God's providence, however unexpected, is a miracle unless it can be traced to the agency of man (including prayer under the term agency), and unless it be put forth as a proof of divine mission. Prodigies and special providences are not miracles. (A miracle is not a violation of the laws of nature. It is God's acting upon nature in a degree far beyond our powers, but the same king of act as our wills are continually exerting upon nature. We do not in lifting a stone interfere with any law of nature, but exert a higher force among the laws. Prof. Tyndall says that "science does assert that without a disturbance of natural law quite as serious as the stoppage of an eclipse, or the rolling of the St. Lawrence up the falls of Niagara, no act of humiliation, individual or nation, could call one shower from heaven." And yet men by firing cannon during battle can cause a shower: does that cause such a commotion among the laws of nature? The exertion of a will upon the laws does not make a disturbance of natural law; and a miracle is simply the exertion of God's will upon nature. --ED.) Again, the term "nature" suggests to many persons the idea of a great system of things endowed with powers and forces of its own --a sort of machine, set a-going originally by a first cause, but continuing its motions of itself. Hence we are apt to imagine that a change in the motion or operation of any part of it by God would produce the same disturbance of the other parts as such a change would be likely to produce in them if made by us or by any other natural agent. But if the motions and operations of material things be produced really by the divine will, then his choosing to change, for a special purpose, the ordinary motion of one part does not necessarily or probably imply his choosing to change the ordinary motions of other parts in a way not at all requisite for the accomplishment of that special purpose. It is as easy for him to continue the ordinary course of the rest, with the change of one part, as of all the phenomena without any change at all. Thus, though the stoppage of the motion of the earth in the ordinary course of nature would be attended with terrible convulsions, the stoppage of the earth miraculously, for a special purpose to be served by that only, would not of itself be followed by any such consequences. (Indeed, by the action of gravitation it could be stopped, as a stone thrown up is stopped, in less than two minutes, and yet so gently as not to stir the smallest feather or mote on its surface. --ED.) From the same conception of nature as a machine, we are apt to think of interferences with the ordinary course of nature as implying some imperfection in it. But it is manifest that this is a false analogy; for the reason why machines are made is to save us trouble; and, therefore, they are more perfect in proportion as they answer this purpose. But no one can seriously imagine that the universe is a machine for the purpose of saving trouble to the Almighty. Again, when miracles are described as "interferences with the law of nature," this description makes them appear improbable to many minds, from their not sufficiently considering that the laws of nature interfere with one another, and that we cannot get rid of "interferences" upon any hypothesis consistent with experience. The circumstances of the Christian miracles are utterly unlike those of any pretended instances of magical wonders. This difference consists in -- (1) The greatness, number, completeness and publicity of the miracles. (2) In the character of the miracles. They were all beneficial, helpful, instructive, and worthy of God as their author. (3) The natural beneficial tendency of the doctrine they attested. (4) The connection of them with a whole scheme of revelation extending from the origin of the human race to the time of Christ.
Watsons
MIRACLES. A miracle, in the popular sense, is a prodigy, or an extraordinary event, which surprises us by its novelty. In a more accurate and philosophic sense, a miracle is an effect which does not follow from any of the regular laws of nature, or which is inconsistent with some known law of it, or contrary to the settled constitution and course of things. Accordingly, all miracles presuppose an established system of nature, within the limits of which they operate, and with the order of which they disagree. Of a miracle in the theological sense many definitions have been given. That of Dr. Samuel Clarke is: "A miracle is a work effected in a manner unusual, or different from the common and regular method of providence, by the interposition of God himself, or of some intelligent agent superior to man, for the proof or evidence of some particular doctrine, or in attestation of the authority of some particular person." Mr. Hume has insidiously or erroneously maintained that a miracle is contrary to experience; but in reality it is only different from experience. Experience informs us that one event has happened often; testimony informs us that another event has happened once or more. That diseases should be generally cured by the application of external causes, and sometimes at the mere word of a prophet, and without the visible application of causes, are facts not inconsistent with each other in the nature of things themselves, nor irreconcilable according to our ideas. Each fact may arise from its own proper cause; each may exist independently of the other; and each is known by its own proper proof, whether of sense or testimony. As secret causes often produce events contrary to those we do expect from experience, it is equally conceivable that events should sometimes be produced which we do not expect. To pronounce, therefore, a miracle to be false, because it is different from experience, is only to conclude against its general existence from the very circumstance which constitutes its particular nature; for if it were not different from experience, where would be its singularity? or what particular proof could be drawn from it, if it happened according to the ordinary train of human events, or was included in the operation of the general laws of nature? We grant that it does differ from experience; but we do not presume to make our experience the standard of the divine conduct. He that acknowledges a God must, at least, admit the possibility of a miracle. The atheist, that makes him inseparable from what is called nature, and binds him to its laws by an insurmountable necessity; that deprives him of will, and wisdom, and power, as a distinct and independent Being; may deny even the very possibility of a miraculous interposition, which can in any instance suspend or counteract those general laws by which the world is governed. But he who allows of a First Cause in itself perfect and intelligent, abstractedly from those effects which his wisdom and power have produced, must at the same time allow that this cause can be under no such restraints as to be debarred the liberty of controlling its laws as often as it sees fit. Surely, the Being that made the world can govern it, or any part of it, in such a manner as he pleases; and he that constituted the very laws by which it is in general conducted, may suspend the operation of those laws in any given instance, or impress new powers on matter, in order to produce new and extraordinary effects.
In judging of miracles there are certain criteria, peculiar to the subject, sufficient to conduct our inquiries, and warrant our determination. Assuredly they do not appeal to our ignorance, for they presuppose not only the existence of a general order of things, but our actual knowledge of the appearance which that order exhibits, and of the secondary material causes from which it, in most cases, proceeds. If a miraculous event were effected by the immediate hand of God, and yet bore no mark of distinction from the ordinary effects of his agency, it would impress no conviction, and probably awaken no attention. Our knowledge of the ordinary course of things, though limited, is real; and therefore it is essential to a miracle, both that it differ from that course, and be accompanied with peculiar and unequivocal signs of such difference. We have been told that the course of nature is fixed and unalterable, and therefore it is not consistent with the immutability of God to perform miracles. But, surely, they who reason in this manner beg the point in question. We have no right to assume that the Deity has ordained such general laws as will exclude his interposition; and we cannot suppose that he would forbear to interfere where any important end could be answered. This interposition, though it controls, in particular cases, the energy, does not diminish the utility, of those laws. It leaves them to fulfil their own proper purposes, and affects only a distinct purpose, for which they were not calculated. If the course of nature implies the general laws of matter and motion, into which the most opposite phenomena may be resolved, it is certain that we do not yet know them in their full extent; and, therefore, that events, which are related by judicious and disinterested persons, and at the same time imply no gross contradiction, are possible in themselves, and capable of a certain degree of proof. If the course of nature implies the whole order of events which God has ordained for the government of the world, it includes both his ordinary and extraordinary dispensations, and among them miracles may have their place, as a part of the universal plan. It is, indeed, consistent with sound philosophy, and not inconsistent with pure religion, to acknowledge that they might be disposed by the supreme Being at the same time with the more ordinary effects of his power; that their causes and occasions might be arranged with the same regularity; and that, in reference chiefly to their concomitant circumstances of persons and times, to the specific ends for which they were employed, and to our idea of the immediate necessity there is for a divine agent, miracles would differ from common events, in which the hand of God acts as efficaciously, though less visibly. On this consideration of the subject, miracles, instead of contradicting nature, might form a part of it. But what our limited reason and scanty experience may comprehend should never be represented as a full and exact view of the possible or actual varieties which exist in the works of God.
2. If we be asked whether miracles are credible, we reply, that, abstractedly considered, they are not incredible; that they are capable of indirect proof from analogy, and of direct, from testimony; that in the common and daily course of worldly affairs, events, the improbability of which, antecedently to all testimony, was very great, are proved to have happened, by the authority of competent and honest witnesses; that the Christian miracles were objects of real and proper experience to those who saw them; and that whatsoever the senses of mankind can perceive, their report may substantiate. Should it be asked whether miracles were necessary, and whether the end proposed to be effected by them could warrant so immediate and extraordinary an interference of the Almighty, as such extraordinary operations suppose; to this we might answer, that, if the fact be established, all reasonings a priori concerning their necessity must be frivolous, and may be false. We are not capable of deciding on a question which, however simple in appearance, is yet too complex in its parts, and too extensive in its object, to be fully comprehended by the human understanding. Whether God could or could not have effected all the ends designed to be promoted by the Gospel, without deviating from the common course of his providence, and interfering with its general laws, is a speculation that a modest inquirer would carefully avoid; for it carries on the very face of it a degree of presumption totally unbecoming the state of a mortal being. Infinitely safer is it for us to acquiesce in what the Almighty has done, than
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"Go and tell John," was Jesus' answer, "what you hear and see; "the lame are walking, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised up, and the gospel is being preached to the poor.
When the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by the aid of Beelzebub, the Prince of the demons, that this fellow is driving out demons." Because Jesus knew what was in their minds, he said to them. "Any kingdom divided against itself will become desolate; and any city or household divided against himself will not stand. read more. "So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
"We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is God-fearing and does his will, to such he listens. "Since the beginning of the world such a thing as opening the eyes of one who was born blind was never heard of. read more. "If this man had not come of God he could have done nothing."
Jesus answered them. "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works which I am doing in my Father's name, these bear witness concerning me.
"If I am not doing the deeds of my Father, do not believe me.
So the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we going to do?" they said, "now that this man is performing many signs?" If we leave him alone, this way, every one will believe on him, and the Romans will come and rob us of both our sacred place and of our people."