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 he went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
and behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me.
And when he entered into Capernaum a centurion came to him, beseeching him,
And Jesus coming into the house of Peter, saw his wife's mother lying and sick with a fever.
And when it was evening they brought him many demoniacs, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all that were sick, that the word might be fulfilled spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
And he said to them, Why are you afraid, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm.
and behold they brought him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Son, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven.
While he was saying these words to them, behold a ruler came and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is now dead, but come and put your hand on her and she shall live.
And behold a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years approached him from behind, and touched the fringe of his garment;
And as Jesus was departing thence two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Have mercy on us, Son of David! And when he had gone into 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 to you; and their eyes were opened. And Jesus charged them strictly, saying, See that no one knows it.
And when they had gone away, behold, the people brought to him a man, a dumb demoniac.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease, and every infirmity.
AND John hearing in the prison of the works of Christ, sending by his disciples, said to him, Are you he that was coming, or look we for another? read more. And Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John what you see and hear;
and behold a man having a withered hand [was there]. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath? that they might accuse him.
But Jesus knowing it departed thence, and great multitudes followed him; and he cured them all,
And all the multitudes wondered and said, Is this the Son of David?
And going out he saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, and cured their sick.
But Jesus said to them, They need not go away; give them food to eat.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the lake.
And when the men of that place knew him, they sent to all the country around, and brought to him all that were sick, and requested of him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were entirely cured.
And behold, a woman of Canaan from those regions came out and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is badly affected with a demon.
And great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the dumb, the crippled, and many others; and they cast them at Jesus' feet, and he cured them;
and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he broke, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign; and no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah. And he left them and departed.
AND after six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John, his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffers greatly. For he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.
and great multitudes followed him, and he cured them there.
And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the brokers, and the seats of those that sold doves,
And the blind and crippled came to him in the temple, and he cured them.
For false Christs and false prophets shall be raised up, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
And as they went, behold, some of the guard came into the city and told the chief priests all the things which had happened. And being assembled with the elders, and taking counsel, they gave large sums of money to the soldiers, read more. saying, Say that his disciples came by night and stole him while we slept; and if this is heard of by the procurator we will satisfy him and secure you. And they took the silver and did as they were told; and this report is circulated among the Jews to this day.
saying, What have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? have you come to destroy us? We know you who you are, the holy [Son] of God!
And as he went out of the ship, a man with an impure spirit immediately met him from the tombs,
And he charged them strictly that no one should know it, and directed that food should be given her.
And he could not do any mighty work there, except that he laid hands on a few sick persons, and cured them. And he wondered at their unbelief. And he went about the villages in order, teaching.
And he said to her, For this speech, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.
And he charged them to tell no one; but as much as he charged them, so much the more they proclaimed [his works].
And they came to Bethsaida; and they brought him a blind man, and besought him to touch him.
And these signs shall follow those that believe; in my name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison] it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
And when he ceased speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught.
And on the next day he went to a city called Nain, and a considerable number of his disciples and a great multitude went with him. And as he approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carried out, an only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a great multitude from the city was with her.
And approaching he touched the bier, and those who bore it stopped. And he said, Young man, I tell you, arise!
And calling two of his disciples, John sent to the Lord, saying, Are you he that was to come, or look we for another? And coming to him the men said, John the Baptist has sent us to you to say, Are you he that was to come, or look we for another? read more. And in that hour he cured many of diseases, and plagues, and of evil spirits, and gave sight to many blind. And Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John what you have seen and heard; that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them;
But some of them said, He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons; and others, trying him, asked of him a sign from heaven.
and behold, there was a woman who had been subject to a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent down, and was not able to lift herself up at all.
And coming to a certain village, ten lepers met him, who stood afar off.
And when they came nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way, begging.
And he immediately received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people seeing it gave praise to God.
But Jesus answered and said, Suffer even this; and touching his ear he healed him.
And the passover of the Jews was nigh; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Then the Jews answered and said to him, What sign do you show us, that you do these things? Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it. read more. Then the Jews said to him, Forty-six years was this temple being built, and will you raise it in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body.
AND when he was at Jerusalem at the feast of the passover many believed on him, seeing his miracles which he performed;
This man came to him by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can perform these miracles which you perform unless God is with him.
Hearing that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and desired him to come down and cure his son, for he was about to die.
And there was a certain man there who had been sick thirty-eight years.
But Jesus answered them, My Father works even till now, and I work.
And many of the multitude believed on him, and said, When the Christ comes will he perform more miracles than this man has performed?
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, A man never spoke thus.
AND passing by he saw a man that was blind from birth;
The man answered and said to them, It is a strange thing, that you know not whence he is, and he has opened my eyes.
unless this man was from God he would have been able to do nothing.
And Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment, that those not seeing may see, and those seeing become blind. And the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and said to him, Are we also blind? read more. Jesus said to them, If you were blind you would not have had sin; but now you say, We see, your sin remains.
If I had not done among them the works which no other one has done, they would not have had sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
If I had not done among them the works which no other one has done, they would not have had sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
When, therefore, he said to them, I am he, they went backwards and fell on the ground.
Jesus performed also many other miracles in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book; but these are recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. Then they cast it, and they were not able to draw it from the number of fishes.
Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazoraean, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and prodigies and miracles, which God performed by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know,
Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazoraean, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and prodigies and miracles, which God performed by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know,
But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, this I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazoraen, walk.
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazoraean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him has this man stood before you sound. This is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the head of a corner. read more. And there is salvation in no other; for there is no other name given under heaven among men, by which we can be saved.
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. read more. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. And Simon seeing that the Holy Spirit was given by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, offered them money, saying, Give me this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hand he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him, Your money go to perdition with you; because you have thought to purchase the gift of God with money.
While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who came with Peter were astonished, that on the gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out; read more. for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
and Paul putting his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
But if we or an angel from heaven preach you another gospel contrary to what we have preached you let him be accursed. As we said before I now also say again, If any one preaches you a gospel contrary to what you have received let him be accursed.
whose coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles and false prodigies
AND know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, read more. without natural affection, covenant breakers, slanderers, intemperate, ungentle, despisers of the good, traitors, rash, boasters, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of piety but denying its power; and these avoid. Of these are those who go into the houses and take captive foolish women loaded with sins, and led by various desires, always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, men of no judgment, reprobate in respect to the faith.
God bearing them witness with signs and prodigies, and various mighty works and gifts of the holy Spirit, according to his will.
And we have the more sure prophetic word, to which you will do well to attend, as to a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the day-star arises in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own solution. read more. For prophecy was never brought by the will of man, but moved by the Holy Spirit men spoke from God,
Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him and those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him. Yes, amen.
And I saw another beast come up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercised all the power of the first beast in his presence. And he caused the earth and those that dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. read more. And he performs great miracles, so as even to make fire come down from heaven to the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those that dwell on the earth by the miracles which it was given him to perform before the beast, telling those that dwell on the earth to make an image of the beast which had the wound with the sword and lived. And it was given him to give a spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that all who would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And the beast was taken and with him the false prophet who performed miracles before him, with which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worship his image; and the two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with sulphur.
Hastings
MIRACLES
1. The narratives
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and said to him, If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you, and they shall take you up on their hands, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not try the Lord your God.
And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, I will; be cleansed; and his leprosy was immediately cleansed.
And Jesus said to the centurion, Go; as you have believed be it to you; and the servant was cured at that hour.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose and waited on them.
And he said to them, Why are you afraid, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. And the men wondered, saying, What kind of a man is this, that the winds and the lake obey him? read more. And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man could pass that way.
But that you may know that the Son of man has power on the earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
But that you may know that the Son of man has power on the earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
And Jesus turning around and seeing her, said, Daughter, be of good courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was cured from that hour.
But when the multitude were removed he went in and took her hand, and the girl arose.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it to you;
And the demon being cast out, the dumb spoke; and the multitudes wondered, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
Cure the sick, cleanse lepers, cast out demons; you have received gratuitously, gratuitously give.
Then he began to rebuke those cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they changed not their minds.
Then he said to the man, Stretch out your hand; and he stretched it out, and it was restored as sound as the other;
THEN a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him, and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb spoke and saw.
and he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and, looking up to heaven, blessed them, and having broken them gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
And Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.
Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it to you as you wish; and her daughter was cured from that hour.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign; and no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah. And he left them and departed.
And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out of him, and the child was cured from that hour.
but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.
but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.
And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes; and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
and seeing a fig tree by the way he went to it, and found nothing on it, except leaves only, and he said to it, Let there be no fruit on you forever. And the fig tree immediately withered,
and seeing a fig tree by the way he went to it, and found nothing on it, except leaves only, and he said to it, Let there be no fruit on you forever. And the fig tree immediately withered,
And Jesus coming near spoke to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and on the earth;
teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.
And immediately his ears were opened, and the cord of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke correctly.
Then he put his hands on his eyes again, and he looked, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.
And these signs shall follow those that believe; in my name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison] it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well.
And doing this he enclosed a great number of fishes; and their net broke.
And Simon Peter seeing it fell on his knees to Jesus, saying, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.
And the dead sat up, and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother.
And his disciples told John of all these things.
And Jesus seeing her, called to her and said, Woman, you are released from your infirmity;
And behold, there was a man before him having the dropsy.
There are not found returning to give glory to God any but this stranger.
And when the master of the feast tasted of the water made wine, and knew not whence it was,??ut the servants knew who had drawn the water,??he master of the feast called the bridegroom
This first miracle did Jesus perform at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see miracles and prodigies you will not believe.
Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see miracles and prodigies you will not believe.
Jesus said to him, Go; your son lives. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went.
Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your bed and walk.
But I have greater testimony than John's; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, these works which I do, testify of me that the Father has sent me;
Then the men, seeing what a miracle Jesus had performed, said, This is truly the prophet who was to come into the world.
and said to him, Go, and wash in the pool of the Siloam; which is interpreted, Sent. Then he went away and washed, and came seeing.
Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted his eyes above, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude who stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the dead came forth, bound as to his feet and hands with bandages, and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go.
but some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
But though he had performed so many miracles before them they did not believe in him;
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; but if not, believe on account of the works themselves.
And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. Then they cast it, and they were not able to draw it from the number of fishes.
And fear was on every soul, and many prodigies and miracles were performed by the apostles.
And taking him by the right hand he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened,
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and expired; and great fear was upon all who heard.
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and expired; and the young men coming in found her dead, and carried her out, and buried her by her husband.
And many miracles and prodigies were performed among the people by the hands of the apostles; and they were all of one accord in Solomon's porch;
so that they brought the sick into the streets and placed them on little beds and couches, that as Peter passed along even his shadow might overshadow some of them.
and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed prodigies and great miracles among the people.
And Simon also himself believed, and being baptized attended constantly on Philip; and beholding the mighty works and miracles that were performed, he was astonished.
And Peter said to him, AEneas, Jesus Christ cures you; arise and make your bed for yourself. And he immediately arose;
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and going about he sought guides.
This man heard Paul speaking, who, looking steadily at him and seeing that he had faith to be cured,
and this she did for many days. And Paul being grieved turned around and said to the spirit, I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out of her in that hour.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were removed.
so that napkins and aprons were brought from him to the sick, and their diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
But Paul going down fell on him, and embracing him, said, Be not troubled, for his life is in him.
And Paul having collected a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat fastened on his hand.
And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him, and cured him.
and to another the performance of mighty works, and to another prophecy, and to another discrimination of spirits, and to another different tongues, and to another an interpretation of tongues;
And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then powers, then gifts of performing cures, aids, governments, different tongues.
For I delivered to you at first, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he was buried, and that he rose on the third day according to the Scriptures,
whose coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles and false prodigies
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 worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me. And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, I will; be cleansed; and his leprosy was immediately cleansed. read more. And Jesus said to him, See that you tell no man, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony to them. And when he entered into Capernaum a centurion came to him, beseeching him, and saying; Lord, my servant lies sick in my house with paralysis, exceedingly distressed. He said to him, I will come and cure him. And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not fit that you should come under my roof; but only say the word and my servant will be cured. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. Jesus hearing wondered and said to those that followed him, I tell you truly, I have not found so great a faith with any one in Israel; and I tell you that many shall come from the East and from the West, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom shall be cast into the darkness outside; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go; as you have believed be it to you; and the servant was cured at that hour. And Jesus coming into the house of Peter, saw his wife's mother lying and sick with a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose and waited on them.
And he entered into a ship, and his disciples followed him. And behold there was a great tempest on the lake, so that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep. read more. And they came and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish. And he said to them, Why are you afraid, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. And the men wondered, saying, What kind of a man is this, that the winds and the lake obey him? And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man could pass that way. And behold they cried, saying, What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come hither before the time to torment us? And there was far off from them a herd of many swine feeding. And, the demons besought him, saying, If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine. And he said to them, Go. And going out, they went away into the herd of swine, and, behold, the whole herd rushed down a precipice into the lake, and died in the waters; and those who fed them fled, and going away into the city reported all things, and the events relating to the demoniacs. And behold all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him they besought him to depart from their bounds.
and behold they brought him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Son, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes. read more. And Jesus observing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? For in what respect is it easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, than to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power on the earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he arose and departed to his house.
While he was saying these words to them, behold a ruler came and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is now dead, but come and put your hand on her and she shall live. And Jesus arose and followed him, and his disciples. read more. And behold a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years approached him from behind, and touched the fringe of his garment;
And behold a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years approached him from behind, and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said within herself, If I can only touch his garment I shall be cured.
for she said within herself, If I can only touch his garment I shall be cured. And Jesus turning around and seeing her, said, Daughter, be of good courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was cured from that hour.
And Jesus turning around and seeing her, said, Daughter, be of good courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was cured from that hour. And Jesus coming into the house of the ruler, and seeing the musicians and the multitude making a tumultuous noise, read more. said, Go away; for the girl is not dead, but asleep. And they derided him. But when the multitude were removed he went in and took her hand, and the girl arose. And the report went out into all that land. And as Jesus was departing thence two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Have mercy on us, Son of David! And when he had gone into 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 to you; and their eyes were opened. And Jesus charged them strictly, saying, See that no one knows it. But they went out and made him known in all that land. And when they had gone away, behold, the people brought to him a man, a dumb demoniac. And the demon being cast out, the dumb spoke; and the multitudes wondered, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
and behold a man having a withered hand [was there]. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath? that they might accuse him. And he said to them, What man is there of you having one sheep, who if this falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? read more. How much then is a man better than a sheep! So that 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 sound as the other;
THEN a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him, and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb spoke and saw.
And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying, The place is solitary, and the hour is already past; dismiss the multitudes that they may go to the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them, They need not go away; give them food to eat. read more. And they said to him, We have here only five loaves and two fishes. And he said, Bring them here to me. And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and, looking up to heaven, blessed them, and having broken them gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all eat and were filled; and they took up the fragments which remained over, twelve travelling-baskets full; and those that eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
But the ship was now in the midst of the lake tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the lake. read more. And when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were troubled and said, It is an apparition; and they cried out for fear. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Be of good courage; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter going down from the ship walked on the waters to go to Jesus. But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink, cried, saying, Lord save me! and Jesus immediately stretching out his hand, took hold of him and said, Man of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they entered into the ship, the wind ceased; and those in the ship came and worshipped him; saying, Truly you are the Son of God.
And Jesus going out thence departed to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan from those regions came out and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is badly affected with a demon. read more. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and asked him, saying, Dismiss her, for she cries after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent, except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me! But he answered and said, It is not right to take the children's bread and cast to the dogs. But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters. Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it to you as you wish; and her daughter was cured from that hour.
And Jesus calling his disciples, said, I pity the multitude, for it is now three days that they have continued with me, and they have nothing to eat; I will not dismiss them fasting lest they faint by the way. But his disciples said to him, Whence shall we obtain so much bread in the wilderness as to fill so great a multitude? read more. And Jesus said to them, How many loaves have you? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground, and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he broke, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all eat and were filled; and they took up the fragments that remained, seven store-baskets full. And those who eat were four thousand men, besides women and children.
And when they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling to him and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffers greatly. For he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. read more. And I brought him to your disciples and they could not cure him. Jesus answered and said, O unbelieving and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him here to me. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out of him, and the child was cured from that hour.
And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachma [28 cents], came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay the didrachma? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes, or a tribute? From their children, or from strangers? read more. He said to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him; Then are the children free; but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.
And behold two blind men who sat by the way, hearing that Jesus was passing by cried, saying, Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David! And the multitude charged them to be still; but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David! read more. And Jesus stopped, and called them and said, What do you wish me to do for you? They said to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes; and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
And returning into the city in the morning he was hungry; and seeing a fig tree by the way he went to it, and found nothing on it, except leaves only, and he said to it, Let there be no fruit on you forever. And the fig tree immediately withered, read more. and the disciples seeing it, wondered and said, How soon is this fig tree withered! Jesus answered and said to them, I tell you truly, that if you have faith and doubt not, you shall not only do this of the fig tree, but if you should say to this mountain, Be taken up and be cast into the sea, it would be done; and all things whatever which you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive.
For false Christs and false prophets shall be raised up, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an impure spirit, and he cried out, saying, What have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? have you come to destroy us? We know you who you are, the holy [Son] of God! read more. And Jesus rebuked him saying, Be still, and come out of him. And the impure spirit affecting him with convulsions, and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And all were astonished, so that they inquired among themselves, saying, What is this? a new teaching with authority, and does he command the impure spirits and they obey him? And his fame went out immediately into all the country about Galilee.
and Simon's mother-in-law was lying with a fever; and immediately they told him of her. And coming, he took her by the hand, and raised her up, and the fever immediately left her, and she waited on them.
And a leper came to him beseeching him, saying to him, If you will, you can cleanse me. And having compassion on him, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, I will; be cleansed. read more. And the leprosy immediately left him, and he was cleansed. And giving him a strict charge, he immediately sent him away, and said to him, See that you say nothing to any one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. And going out he spread and published abroad the report, to such an extent that he [Jesus] could no longer go openly into a city, but was without in solitary places; and they came to him from every quarter.
And they came to him bringing a paralytic, borne by four; and not being able to approach him on account of the multitude, they uncovered the roof where he was, and having made an opening let down the bed on which the paralytic was laid. read more. And Jesus seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. And some of the scribes were sitting there, and reasoned in their minds, Why does this man speak so? he blasphemes. Who can forgive sins but God alone? And Jesus immediately knowing in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason in your minds? in what respect is it easier to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven you, than to say, Arise, take up your bed and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power to forgive sins on the earth, he said to the paralytic, I tell you, arise, take your bed and go to your house. And he was raised up and immediately taking his bed he went away before all; so that all were astonished, and glorified God, saying, We never saw the like.
And dismissing the multitude, they took him as he was in the ship; and other ships also were with him. And there was a great tempest of wind, and the waves beat over the ship, so that the ship was already filled. read more. And he was in the stern, on the pillow, asleep. And they awoke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the lake, Hush! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said to them, Why are you so fearful? How have you no faith? And they were greatly afraid, and said one to another, What man is this, that even the wind and the lake obey him?
AND they came across the lake to the country of the Gerasenes. And as he went out of the ship, a man with an impure spirit immediately met him from the tombs, read more. who lived in the tombs, and none could bind him with a chain; for he was often bound with fetters and chains, and his chains were broken by him, and his fetters crushed, and no one could subdue him. And he was always night and day in the tombs, and in the mountains, crying, and cutting himself with stones. And seeing Jesus at a distance, he ran and worshipped him, and crying with a loud voice, said, What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the most high God? I adjure you, by God, not to torment me. For he said to him, Impure spirit, come out of the man. And he asked him, What is your name? And he said to him, My name is Legion, for we are many. And they besought him much that he would not send them out of the country. And there was there on the mountain a great herd of swine feeding. And they besought him, saying, Send us to the swine, that we may go into them. And Jesus immediately permitted them. And the impure spirits going out entered into the swine, and the herd rushed down a precipice into the lake, about two thousand, and were drowned in the lake. And those who fed them fled and told it in the city and in the country; and they came out to see what was done. And they came to Jesus, and saw the demoniac who had the legion, sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who saw related to them how it had been with the demoniac, and concerning the swine. And they besought him to depart from their bounds. And entering into the ship, the man that had been a demoniac besought him that he might go with him; and he permitted him not, but said to him, Go to your home, to your friends, and relate to them what the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you. And he went away and proclaimed in the Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and all wondered.
And one of the synagogue rulers came, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet, and besought him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death; come and lay hands on her, that she may be restored, and she shall live. read more. And he went away with him; and a great multitude followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years,
And a certain woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years, and having taken many things by many physicians, and expended all her property, and not being benefited, but rather growing worse,
and having taken many things by many physicians, and expended all her property, and not being benefited, but rather growing worse, hearing of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him and touched his clothes.
hearing of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him and touched his clothes. For she said, If I can touch his clothes I shall be cured.
For she said, If I can touch his clothes I shall be cured. And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she knew in herself that she was cured of the plague.
And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she knew in herself that she was cured of the plague. And Jesus immediately knowing in himself that a power had gone out from him, turning round in the crowd said, Who touched my clothes?
And Jesus immediately knowing in himself that a power had gone out from him, turning round in the crowd said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said to him, You see the multitude throng you, and do you say, Who touched me?
And his disciples said to him, You see the multitude throng you, and do you say, Who touched me? And he looked round to see her that had done this.
And he looked round to see her that had done this. And the woman being afraid, and trembling, knowing what was done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And the woman being afraid, and trembling, knowing what was done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace, and be well of your plague.
And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace, and be well of your plague. And while he was yet speaking persons came from the house of the synagogue ruler, saying, Your daughter is dead; why trouble the teacher? read more. And Jesus hearing the word spoken, said to the synagogue ruler, Fear not, only believe. And he permitted no man to accompany him except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they came to the house of the synagogue ruler, and saw the tumult, and the people weeping and lamenting much. And he went in and said to them, Why do you make a tumult and weep? the little child is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. And putting them all out, he took the father and mother of the little child, and those with him, and went in where the little child was; and taking the hand of the little child, he said to her, Talitha cum, which is interpreted, Girl, I tell you arise; and immediately the girl arose and walked about, for she was twelve years old. And they were astonished with great astonishment. And he charged them strictly that no one should know it, and directed that food should be given her.
And when much time had already passed, his disciples came to him and said, This is a solitary place, and much time has already passed; dismiss them, that they may go to the farms and villages around, and buy them something to eat. read more. And he answered and said to them, Give them something to eat. And they said to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii [$28] worth of bread, and give them to eat? And he said to them, How many loaves have you? go and see. And knowing, they said, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to cause all to recline in companies on the green grass. And they sat down in squares, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them. And he divided the two fishes to all. And they all eat, and were filled; and they took up of fragments twelve traveling-baskets full, and of the fishes. And they that eat the bread were five thousand men.
And when it was evening, the ship was in the midst of the lake, and he alone on the land. And seeing them troubled to proceed, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the lake, and wished to pass by them. read more. And seeing him walking on the lake, they thought it was an apparition, and cried out, for they all saw and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them, Be of good courage; it is I; be not afraid. And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased, and they were astonished in themselves above measure, and wondered;
and ran about through that whole country, and brought those that were sick on beds where they heard that he was. And wherever he went, in villages, or cities, or country places, they placed the sick in the markets, and besought him that they might touch the fringe of his garment, and as many as touched him were cured.
And he rose up, and departed thence to the regions of Tyre. And entering into a house he wished no one to know it; and he could not be hid. But immediately, a woman whose little daughter had an impure spirit, hearing of him, came and fell down at his feet; read more. and she was a Greek, a Syrophenician by race; and she asked him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, Suffer the children first to be filled; it is not right to take the children's bread, and cast it to the little dogs. And she answered and said to him, Yes, Lord; for even the little dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said to her, For this speech, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter. And departing to her house, she found the little child laid on the bed, and the demon gone out. And again going out of the bounds of Tyre, he came through Sidon, to the lake of Galilee, in the midst of the bounds of Decapolis. And they brought him a dumb man that stammered, and besought him to put his hand on him. And taking him from the multitude by himself, he put his fingers in his ears, and spit, and touched his tongue, and looking up to heaven he groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha, which is, Be opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the cord of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke correctly. And he charged them to tell no one; but as much as he charged them, so much the more they proclaimed [his works]. And they were astonished above measure, and said, He has done all things well; he makes both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
And they came to Bethsaida; and they brought him a blind man, and besought him to touch him. And taking the hand of the blind man, he brought him out of the village, and spitting on his eyes, and putting his hands on him, he asked him, Do you see any thing? read more. And looking up he said, I see men, as trees walking. Then he put his hands on his eyes again, and he looked, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. And he sent him to his house, saying, Go not into the village.
And coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes disputing with them. And immediately all the multitude seeing him, were highly pleased, and ran forward and saluted him. read more. And he asked, What were you disputing about with them? And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I have brought my son to you, having a dumb spirit; and wherever it takes him it convulses him, and he foams and grates his teeth, and becomes emaciated. And I spoke to your disciples to cast it out, and they could not. And he answered and said to them, O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me. And they brought him to him. And seeing him, the spirit immediately affected him with convulsions, and he fell on the ground, and rolled about, foaming. And he asked his father, How long a time is it since this came upon him? And he said, From a little child; and it often casts him into fire, and into waters, to destroy him; but if you are able, help us, and have mercy on us. And Jesus said to him, If you are able? all things are possible to him that believes. And the father of the little child immediately crying out, said, I believe; help my unbelief. And Jesus seeing that a multitude ran together, rebuked the impure spirit, saying to him, Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter into him no more. And crying out and affecting him with many convulsions, he went out. And he was like a dead person, so that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up, and he stood up.
And they came to Jericho. And as he went from Jericho, and his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timeus, Bartimeus, a blind beggar, sat by the way. And hearing that Jesus was the Nazarene, he cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. read more. And many charged him to be still. But he cried much more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stopping, said, Call him. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Be of good courage; arise, he calls you. And he cast aside his garment, and leaping up went to Jesus. And Jesus answered him and said, What do you wish me to do for you? And the blind man said to him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him, Go; your faith has cured you. And he immediately received sight, and followed him in the way.
And on the next day as they returned from Bethany he was hungry; and seeing a fig tree at a distance having leaves, he went to see if he could find any thing on it. And having come to it, he found nothing except leaves, for it was not time for figs. read more. And he spoke and said to it, Let no one eat fruit of you forever! And his disciples heard him. And they came to Jerusalem, and going into the temple he cast out those that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the brokers, and the seats of those that sold doves, and permitted no one to carry a vessel through the temple. And he taught them, saying, It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations; but you have made it a den of robbers. And the scribes and chief priests came and sought how they might destroy him, for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his teaching. And when it was evening he went out of the city. And passing along in the morning, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter remembering, said to him, Rabbi, behold the fig tree which you cursed is dried up. And Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God; I tell you truly, that whoever shall say to this mountain, be raised up and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he says will be done, whatever he says shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever which you ask in prayer, believe that you shall receive them, and you shall have them.
he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieves shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow those that believe; in my name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, read more. they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison] it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well.
And there was a man in the synagogue having a spirit of an impure demon; and he cried with a loud voice, Alas! what have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy [Son] of God! read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hush! and come out of him. And the demon casting him into the midst came out of him, doing him no injury. And they were all amazed, and talked with each other, saying, What word is this, that with authority and power he commands the impure spirits, and they come out? And a report of him went abroad into every place in the country about. And going up from the synagogue he entered into the house of Simon. And Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a violent fever; and they asked him in her behalf. And standing over her he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she immediately arose and waited on them.
And as the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats standing by the lake; and the fishermen having gone out of them were washing their nets. read more. And entering into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land, and sat down and taught the multitudes from the ship. And when he ceased speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have labored all night and taken nothing; but at your word I will let down the net. And doing this he enclosed a great number of fishes; and their net broke. And he made signs to his companions in the other ship to come and help him; and they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink. And Simon Peter seeing it fell on his knees to Jesus, saying, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of fishes which they had taken. So also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from this time you shall take men. And bringing the ships to the land they left all and followed him. And he was in one of the cities, and behold, a man full of leprosy; and seeing Jesus he fell on his face, and asked him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me. And stretching out his hand he touched him, saying, I will; be cleansed. And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and present an offering for your purification, as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. And the report concerning him went abroad extensively; and great multitudes came together to hear him, and to be cured of their diseases.
And behold, men bringing on a bed a man who was paralytic; and they sought to bring him in to place him before him. And not finding how they could bring him in, on account of the multitude, they went up on the house, and let him down through the tiles, with his little bed, into the midst before Jesus. read more. And seeing their faith, he said, Man, your sins are forgiven you. And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaks blasphemies? who can forgive sins, but God alone? And Jesus knowing their thoughts answered and said to them, Why do you reason in your minds? in what is it easier to say, Your sins are forgiven you, than to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power on the earth to forgive sins, he said to the paralytic, I tell you, arise, and take up your little bed, and go to your house. And he arose immediately before them, and taking up that on which he had lain departed to his house, glorifying God. And all were astonished, and glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.
And on another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him [to see] if he would perform a cure on the sabbath, that they might find [something of which] to accuse him. read more. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man having the withered hand, Arise, and stand in the midst. And he arose and stood. And Jesus said to them, I will ask you whether it is lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do evil? to save a life or to destroy? And looking round upon them all he said to him, Stretch out your hand. And he did so; and his hand was restored. And they were filled with madness, and conferred with each other as to what they should do to Jesus.
WHEN he had finished all his discourses in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die; read more. and he hearing of Jesus, sent to him the elders of the Jews, asking him to come and cure his servant. And having come to Jesus they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom you should do this; for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue. And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying, Lord, trouble not yourself, for I am not fit that you should come under my roof. Wherefore I did not think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant shall be cured; for I also am a man placed under authority, having 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. And Jesus hearing these things wondered at him, and turning around said to the multitude following him, I tell you I have not found in Israel so great a faith; and those sent returning to the house found the sick servant well. And on the next day he went to a city called Nain, and a considerable number of his disciples and a great multitude went with him. And as he approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carried out, an only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a great multitude from the city was with her. And seeing her, the Lord had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not. And approaching he touched the bier, and those who bore it stopped. And he said, Young man, I tell you, arise! And the dead sat up, and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother. And fear seized all; and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is raised up among us; and, God has visited his people. And this report of him went out into all Judea, and into all the region around.
AND on one of those days both he and his disciples went into the ship; and he said to them, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they set sail; and as they were sailing he fell asleep. And a tempest of wind came down on the lake, and they were flooded with water, and in peril. read more. And they came and awoke him, saying, Master! Master! we are perishing! And he arose, and rebuked the wind and the waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said to them, Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and wondered, saying one to another, What man then is this, that he commands the winds and the water and they obey him? And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite to Galilee. And as he went out on the land, there met him a certain man from the city who had had demons for a long time; and he wore no clothes, and remained not in a house, but in the tombs. And seeing Jesus, he cried out, and worshipped him, and said with a loud voice, What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg of you not to torment me; for he had commanded the impure spirit to go out of the man; for it had often seized him; and he had been bound with chains, and confined with fetters; and breaking his bonds he had been driven by the demon into solitary places. And Jesus asked him, saying, What is your name? And he said, Legion; because many demons had entered into him. And he besought him not to command them to go into the abyss. And there was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain, and they besought him to permit them to enter into them; and be permitted them. And the demons going out of the man entered into the swine; and the herd rushed down the precipice into the lake and were drowned. And those who fed them, seeing what was done, fled and reported it in the city and in the country places. And they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting, clothed and of a sound mind, at the feet of Jesus; and they were afraid. And those who had seen related to them how the demoniac had been cured. And all the multitude of the region about the Gerasenes requested him to depart from them, because they were seized with great fear. And entering into the ship, he returned. And the man from whom the demons had gone out desired to be with him; but he sent him away, saying, Return to your house, and declare how great things God has done for you. And he went away proclaiming in all the city what great things Jesus had done for him.
And behold, a man by the name of Jairus came; and he was the ruler of a synagogue. And falling at the feet of Jesus, he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter twelve years old, and she was dying. And when he was going, the multitudes thronged him. read more. And a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be cured by any one,
And a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be cured by any one, coming up behind, touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her flow of blood was stopped.
coming up behind, touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her flow of blood was stopped. And Jesus said, Who touched me? And all denying, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitudes press upon and throng you, and do you say, Who touched me?
And Jesus said, Who touched me? And all denying, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitudes press upon and throng you, and do you say, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Some one touched me; for I perceived a power going from me.
And Jesus said, Some one touched me; for I perceived a power going from me. And the woman seeing that she was not concealed, came trembling, and falling down related to him in the presence of all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was immediately cured.
And the woman seeing that she was not concealed, came trembling, and falling down related to him in the presence of all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was immediately cured. And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace.
And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace. While he was yet speaking some one came from the synagogue ruler's house and said to him, Your daughter has died; trouble not the teacher. read more. But Jesus hearing it answered him, Fear not; only believe, and she shall be cured. And when he entered into the house, he permitted no one to go in with him, except Peter, and John, and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all wept and lamented her. But he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. And taking her hand, he called, saying, Child, arise! And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And he commanded food to be given her. And her parents were astonished; and he commanded them to tell no one what was done.
And the day began to decline; and the twelve came and said to him, Dismiss the multitude, that they may go to the villages and farms around, and lodge, and find provisions; for we are here in a solitary place. And he said to them, Give them something to eat. And they said, We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, unless we go and buy provisions for all this multitude; read more. for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them recline in companies of fifty each; and they did so, and caused them all to recline. And taking the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they eat and were all filled; and there was taken up what remained over to them, twelve traveling-baskets of fragments.
And on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I desire you to look upon my son, for he is my only child; read more. and behold a spirit takes him, and suddenly cries out and convulses him, with foam and crushing him departs from him with difficulty; and I desired your disciples to cast it out, and they could not. And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you, and suffer you! Bring your son hither. And while he was coming, the demon tore him with spasms and convulsed him. And Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, and cured the child, and gave him back to his father.
AND he cast out a demon, and it was dumb. And when the demon had gone out, the dumb spoke; and the multitudes wondered.
and behold, there was a woman who had been subject to a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent down, and was not able to lift herself up at all. And Jesus seeing her, called to her and said, Woman, you are released from your infirmity; read more. and he put his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the synagogue ruler answered, being angry because Jesus had performed a cure on the sabbath, and said to the multitude, There are six days in which you ought to work; in them, therefore, come and be cured, and not on the sabbath. Then the Lord answered him and said, Hypocrites, does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead him away to drink? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, behold, eighteen years, to be released from this bond on the sabbath? And when he had said these things all his enemies were ashamed; and all the people rejoiced on account of all the glorious works performed by him.
And he was going to Jerusalem, and he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And coming to a certain village, ten lepers met him, who stood afar off. read more. And they lifted up their voice saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And seeing them, he said, Go and show yourselves to the priests. And as they were going they were cleansed. And one of them seeing that he was cured, returned, glorifying God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at his feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answered and said to him, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found returning to give glory to God any but this stranger. And he said to him, Arise and go; your faith has cured you.
And when they came nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way, begging. And hearing the multitude passing by he inquired what it meant. read more. And they told him, Jesus the Nazoraean is passing by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And those going before charged him to be still; but he cried much more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stopping, commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near he asked him, saying, What do you wish me to do for you? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has cured you. And he immediately received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people seeing it gave praise to God.
And one of them struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Suffer even this; and touching his ear he healed him.
AND on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the wedding. read more. And the wine falling short the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine. Jesus said to her, What have you to do with me, woman? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you. And there were six stone water jars there, placed for the purification of the Jews, containing two or three metretes [16.75 or 25.125 gallons] each. Jesus said to them, Fill the water jars with water; and they filled them to the top. And he said to them, Now draw out and bear to the master of the feast; and they bore it. And when the master of the feast tasted of the water made wine, and knew not whence it was,??ut the servants knew who had drawn the water,??he master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, Every man first presents the good wine, and when they have drunk freely, the poorer; but you have kept the good wine till now. This first miracle did Jesus perform at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Then he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. Hearing that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and desired him to come down and cure his son, for he was about to die. read more. Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see miracles and prodigies you will not believe. The nobleman said to him, Lord, come down before my child dies. Jesus said to him, Go; your son lives. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went. And as he was now going down his servants met him, and told, saying, Your child lives. Then he inquired of them the hour in which he became better. Then they said to him, The fever left him yesterday, at the seventh hour. Then the father knew that it was in that hour in which Jesus said to him, Your son lives; and he believed, and all his house. This second miracle did Jesus, having come from Judea into Galilee.
Then Jesus lining up his eyes, and seeing many people come to him, said to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? But this he said to try him; for he knew what he was about to do. read more. Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii [$28] worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that each may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes; but what are these for so many? Jesus said, Make the men sit down. And there was much grass in the place. The men, therefore, sat down in number about five thousand. Then Jesus took the bread, and having given thanks, distributed it to those reclining; likewise also of the fishes, as much as they wished. And when they were filled he said to his disciples, Collect the fragments that remain over, that nothing may be lost. Then they collected, and filled twelve traveling-baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over to those who had eaten. Then the men, seeing what a miracle Jesus had performed, said, This is truly the prophet who was to come into the world.
And when it was evening, his disciples went down to the lake, and entering into the ship were crossing the lake to Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them, read more. and the lake was made rough by a great wind blowing. Then having gone about twenty-five or thirty stadiums [3 or But he said to them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly took him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at the land to which they were going.
Then Jesus again being agitated within himself came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, said to him, Lord, by this time he smells; for he has been dead four days. read more. Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you will believe you shall see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted his eyes above, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude who stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And having said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And the dead came forth, bound as to his feet and hands with bandages, and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go.
After these things he showed himself again to the disciples at the lake of Tiberias; and he showed himself thus. Simon Peter, and Thomas called the Twin, and Nathaniel who was from Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. read more. Simon Peter said to them, I am going a fishing. They said to him, We will also go with you. They went out and entered into the ship; and on that night caught nothing, but when it was now morning Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any thing to eat? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. Then they cast it, and they were not able to draw it from the number of fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. Then Simon Peter, hearing that it was the Lord, girded on his coat, for he was naked, and cast himself into the lake. But the other disciples came with the boat, drawing the net of fishes, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits distant. Then when they came to land they saw coals placed, and a fish laid upon [them], and bread. Jesus said to them, Bring of the fish that you have now caught. Simon Peter went and drew the net to the land, full of great fishes a hundred and fifty-three; and though there were so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, Come and breakfast. No one of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? for they knew that he was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he had arisen from the dead.
And there are many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written particularly, I do not suppose the world itself could contain the books written.
Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazoraean, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and prodigies and miracles, which God performed by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know,
And there was a man by the name of Simon who formerly practised magic in that city, and astonished the nation of Samaria, saying that he was some great person,
And having gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man having called for Barnabas and Saul desired to hear the word of God; read more. but Elymas the magian, for so his name is interpreted, opposed them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.
And many of those who practised secret arts brought their books, and burnt them before all; and they computed the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand [didrachmas] of silver [$8,333].
The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all patience, in miracles, and prodigies, and mighty works.
whose coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles and false prodigies
The salutation by my hand, Paul's, which is [the] sign in every epistle; so I write.
And he performs great miracles, so as even to make fire come down from heaven to the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those that dwell on the earth by the miracles which it was given him to perform before the beast, telling those that dwell on the earth to make an image of the beast which had the wound with the sword and 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 and said to them, Go and tell John what you see and hear; the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them;
But the Pharisees hearing it, said, This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, a ruler of the demons. But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed; and no city or house divided against itself can stand. read more. If Satan casts out Satan he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
We know that God hears not sinners; but if one is a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears. Since the world began it has not been heard that any one opened the eyes of one born blind; read more. unless this man was from God he would have been able to do nothing.
Jesus answered them, I have told you and you believe not; the works which I perform in my Father's name, these testify of me;
If I do not my Father's works, believe me not;
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrim, and said, What do we accomplish? for this man performs many miracles. If we leave him thus all will believe on him; and the Romans will come and take away our place and nation.