What was the purpose of miracles in the ministry of Christ, or the apostolic age? Their design must be consistent with the lofty theme of redemption. Of the early disciples who were endowed with spiritual gifts, Mark declares, ‘And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed,’ Mark 16:20.
The function of the ‘signs’ was to ‘confirm’ the revelatory process, i.e., the Word of truth being communicated from God to man. The writer of Hebrews argues similarly.
He declares that the message regarding the ‘great salvation,’ which at the first had been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will,’ Hebrews 2:3-4.
Of special interest in these passages is the term ‘confirm,’ ‘bebaioo.’ The word denotes evidence that establishes the validity of the divinely given word. The supernatural gifts of the primitive age, therefore, had as their design the establishment of the credibility of Christ and His spokesmen, and so ultimately, the validation of their message, namely, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world!
If it can be established that those early miracles do corroborate the testimony of Christ, and those commissioned by Him, and further, that the recording of these events in the New Testament was designed to perpetually accomplish that function, then it stands as demonstrated that the repetition of such signs is not needed today.
The fact is that this is exactly what is affirmed by the apostle John. He declares that the ‘signs’ of Christ, which he records in his Gospel account, ‘are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,’ John 20:31.
Even those who claim that God is working miracles today, when asked if they believe that the recorded miracles of Christ in the New Testament are sufficient to establish faith in Him, will answer affirmatively.
A comparison between today’s modern healings and those of Jesus will show today’s versions sadly lacking.
1. In the miracles of Jesus, the result was immediate, Matthew 8:3 / Matthew 8:15.
2. Faith was not always required on the part of the one involved, John 11:39.
3. Everyone was allowed to come, Matthew 4:24.
4. Jesus healed organic diseases, not just functional ones, Matthew 15:30.
5. The miracles were always public, not private, Matthew 12:9.
6. The person being healed was always made complete, made whole, Matthew 12:13.
7. Miracles were always acknowledged by his enemies, Matthew 12:13.
8. They were not used to make money, Matthew 10:8.
9. The miracles gave God the glory, Acts 3:2.
10. The miracles were always used to support the truth, Hebrews 2:3.
11. They were not used to establish a denomination or promote any sect.
12. The person healed didn’t always have to be present, Matthew 8:5.
13. Sometimes they were performed at the protest of the one being healed, Matthew 8:28.
14. Sometimes they were performed because of the faith of others, Matthew 8:8.
15. He didn’t heal others while having an illness himself.
16. There was no prior investigation to weed out the wicked.
17. Jesus never tried and failed. Never blame the recipient for lack of faith.
18. Jesus didn’t fail to perform a miracle and then blame the presence of an unbeliever.
19. Jesus didn’t fail and then say it was God’s will.
20. The miracles always proved the power of God, Matthew 9:6.
It ought to be abundantly clear, therefore, that since the miracles of the Bible continue to accomplish their original purpose, there is no need for a repetition of them today! They are not being replicated in this age!