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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And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
And behold, a leper came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help,
When Jesus come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
When evening had come, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. And he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."
And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."
While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live."
And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment.
And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he had entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." read more. Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows it."
As they were going out, behold, a mute and demon-possessed man was brought to him.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.
Now when John heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?" read more. And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him.
Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all,
And all the people were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
When Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent to all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick, and begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried to him, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
Then great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others; and they laid them down at his feet, and he healed them.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for me and you."
And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, read more. and said, "Tell them, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you arethe Holy One of God!"
And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
He strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Now he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching.
Then he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter."
And he commanded them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
And they came to Bethsaida; and some people brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
But passing through the midst of them, he went his way.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch."
Soon afterward, he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.
Then he came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?" When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?'" read more. At that very hour he cured many of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits, and to many that were blind he gave sight. He answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the good news preached to them.
But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons." Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven.
And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
As he entered a village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.
And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him.
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Then the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show to us, since you do this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." read more. The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
One man who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working."
And many of the people believed in him, and they said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?"
The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!"
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." Then some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this, and said to him, "Are we blind also?" read more. Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your sin remains.
If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know
But Peter said, "I do not have silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands before you healed. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the chief cornerstone. read more. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by 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 they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. read more. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we preached to you, let him be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed!
The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders,
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, read more. unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who make their way into households and capture weak women, weighed down with sins and swayed by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.
while God also bore witness, by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will.
And we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, read more. for no prophecy was ever made by the act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. Even so. Amen.
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. read more. He performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which he was given power to do in the presence of the beast. He ordered them to make an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should even speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with sulfur.
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 of you,' and 'In their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'"
Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Then to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him.
And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" read more. When he had come to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"he then said to the paralytic"Rise, take up your bed and go home."
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"he then said to the paralytic"Rise, take up your bed and go home."
Jesus turned, and when he saw her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that moment.
But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel."
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Then he began to rebuke the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and he healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw.
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the multitudes.
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured from that moment.
Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for me and you."
Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for me and you."
And Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
And seeing a fig tree by the road he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And immediately the fig tree withered.
And seeing a fig tree by the road he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And immediately the fig tree withered.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
And [immediately] his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
Then he put his hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw everything clearly.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
Then the disciples of John told him about all these things.
When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity."
And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.
Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it had come from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe."
Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe."
Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.
Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed, and walk."
But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, these very works which I am doing, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.
When the people saw the sign that Jesus did, they said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
And he said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me."
The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him;
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Everyone was filled with awe; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
And taking him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Porch.
so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, so that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed." Immediately he got up.
But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."
Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment.
and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
But Paul went down and fell on him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him."
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.
It happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed sick with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.
and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another distinguishing between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then those having gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and those speaking in various kinds of tongues.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders,
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 are willing, you can make me clean." Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. read more. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And his servant was healed at that very hour. When Jesus come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him.
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But he was asleep. read more. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" When he had come to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled, and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming!" read more. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, 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 authority on earth to forgive sins"he then said to the paralytic"Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home.
While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live." So Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. read more. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment.
And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment. For she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well."
For she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." Jesus turned, and when he saw her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that moment.
Jesus turned, and when he saw her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that moment. When Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, read more. he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that region. And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he had entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows it." But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. As they were going out, behold, a mute and demon-possessed man was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel."
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? read more. Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and he healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw.
When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." read more. They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." He said, "Bring them here to me," Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the multitudes. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. read more. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." So he said, "Come". Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried to him, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." read more. But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me!" And he answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Now Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have been with me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." Then his disciples said to him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to feed such a great crowd?" read more. And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. read more. And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." Then Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured from that moment.
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from others?" read more. And when Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for me and you."
And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be quiet; but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" read more. And Jesus stopped and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you? " They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." And Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And immediately the fig tree withered. read more. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you arethe Holy One of God!" read more. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. So he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Then a leper came to him, imploring him, kneeling down to him and saying to him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be clean." read more. And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And he strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and he said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was outside in the deserted places; and people came to him from every quarter.
Then they came to him, bringing a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above him; and when they had broken through, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. read more. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, he said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet 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 say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out in the sight of them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
And leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. And a great storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. read more. But he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" Then he rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?" And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"
They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, read more. who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains. But the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and worshipped him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many." And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. So all the demons begged him, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And people went out to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus, and saw the man who had been possessed sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Jesus to depart from their region. And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him that he might be with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled.
Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name. And seeing him, he fell at his feet, and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be healed, and live." read more. So Jesus went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged around him. And there was a woman who had endured a flow of blood for twelve years,
And there was a woman who had endured a flow of blood for twelve years, and she had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she owned, and was no better but rather grew worse.
and she had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she owned, and was no better but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his clothes, I shall be made well."
For she said, "If I touch even his clothes, I shall be made well." And immediately the bleeding stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
And immediately the bleeding stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?"
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'"
And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it.
And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him in fear and trembling and told him the whole truth.
But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him in fear and trembling and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease."
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease." While he was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" read more. But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he came in, he said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But after he put them all outside, he took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl stood up and walked (she was twelve years of age). And they were overcome with great amazement. He strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, so they can go to the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves something to eat." read more. But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" But he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." Then he commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, of hundreds and fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.
When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on land. And he saw the disciples straining at the oars, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He was about to pass by them, read more. but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were completely amazed,
and ran about that whole region, and began to carry those who were sick around on pallets to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched him were made well.
From there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not be hidden. But a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him, and she came and fell at his feet. read more. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." She went home, and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he departed from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. Then they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to put his hand on him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And [immediately] his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. And he commanded them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
And they came to Bethsaida; and some people brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. So he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. And when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands on him, he asked him "Do you see anything?" read more. And he looked up and said, "I see men; but they look like trees, walking." Then he put his hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw everything clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."
And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when they saw him, all the people were greatly amazed, and ran to him and greeted him. read more. And he asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" And one of the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they could not." He answered him, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he been like this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you can, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And the spirit cried out, convulsed him terribly, and came out. And the boy was like a corpse; so that many of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" read more. Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
On the next day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. read more. And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. So they came to Jerusalem. And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And he would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered." And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; read more. they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, "Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you arethe Holy One of God!" read more. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him without doing him any harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" And the report about him went out into every place in the surrounding region. And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they made request of him on her behalf. So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she rose and served them.
Now as the people pressed around him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. read more. Then he got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. While he was in one of the cities, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded." But the report went around concerning him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. read more. When he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"he said to the man who was paralyzed "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. read more. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise and stand here." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" And he looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
When he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. read more. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and has built us our synagogue." And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. Soon afterward, he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us;" and "God has visited his people." And this report about him spread throughout all Judea and all the surrounding country.
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they set out. As they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in danger. read more. And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him?" Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When he stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me!" For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; because many demons had entered him. And they begged him repeatedly not to command them to go into the Abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter them. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding region of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and tell how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
And behold, there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the people pressed round him. read more. And a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years and could not be healed by anyone,
And a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood stopped.
came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!"
And Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me."
But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me." When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." read more. But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be well." When he came into the house he permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all were wailing and mourning for her; but he said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were astonished, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away, to go to the surrounding villages and country, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fishunless we go and buy food for all these people." read more. For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." And they did so, and made them all sit down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and they took up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my only child. read more. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and will hardly leave him, bruising him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Then Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon threw him and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." read more. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? Then ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, be loosed on the Sabbath day from this bond?" When he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. read more. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. read more. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who led the way rebuked him, telling him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him.
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. read more. When the wine was gone, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now six stone jars were standing there, according to the manner for purification of the Jews, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it had come from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man sets out the good wine first; and when the guests have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. read more. Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe." The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when his son got better, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these people may eat?" But this he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. read more. Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each one of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, left over by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that Jesus did, they said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. read more. The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been dead four days." read more. Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
After this Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way he showed himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. read more. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. But early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, but about a hundred yards off. When they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
But there are also many other things which Jesus did. If every one of them were to be written, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know
Now there was a man named Simon, who had formerly practiced magic in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,
When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
The signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all perseverance, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders,
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.
He performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which he was given power to do in the presence of the beast. He ordered them to make an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and 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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And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
But when the Pharisees heard this they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. read more. If Satan casts 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 a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. read more. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me;
If I do not do the works of my father, do not believe me;
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."