Understanding Miracles. Part 2b Series

AN ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES REGARDING THE MIRACULOUS IN THE BIBLE

WITH AN ATTEMPT TO CONFIRM THESE PRINCIPLES

WITH BIBLICAL SUPPORT

MIRACLES PART 2B

Principle #7.

Physical miracles may occur at any time. Nevertheless the

manifestation of physical miracles as signs confirming the

authenticity of a particular Prophet or Apostle began at a certain

period in that person=s life (John 2:11) and generally, except in

the case of Jesus, ended by the time of the death at that person

(2 Kings 2:9-10). Consider the differences in the New Testament

apocryphal books.

(John 2:11 NIV) This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

(2 Ki 2:9 NIV) When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

(2 Ki 2:10 NIV) "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours??otherwise not."

(2 Ki 13:20 NIV) Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring.

(2 Ki 13:21 NIV) Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.

Principle #8. Jesus has a unique place in the Father’s program. Only of Him is it said:

(John 21:25 NIV) Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

God had a unique Son to Whom He could give abundant miracles knowing that they would not be squandered.

(John 3:34 NIV) For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

(John 3:35 NIV) The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

Principle #9. Because Jesus has this unique place, those

who rejected the persuasive signs which accompanied Jesus=

ministry and attributed them to Satan, were guilty of an

unforgiveable sin, a sin which in this writer=s opinion cannot be

committed today. Because of this unforgiveable sin, they

experienced the greatest tribulation which Jewish believers will

ever experience. (Matthew 23:34)

(Mat 23:34 NIV) Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.

(Mark 3:19 NIV) and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

(Mark 3:20 NIV) Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.

(Mark 3:21 NIV) When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

(Mark 3:22 NIV) And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub ! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."

(Mark 3:23 NIV) So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?

(Mark 3:24 NIV) If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

(Mark 3:25 NIV) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

(Mark 3:26 NIV) And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.

(Mark 3:27 NIV) In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.

(Mark 3:28 NIV) I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.

(Mark 3:29 NIV) But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."

(Mark 3:30 NIV) He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit."

(Mat 12:22 NIV) Then they brought him a demon?possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.

(Mat 12:23 NIV) All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"

(Mat 12:24 NIV) But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

(Mat 12:25 NIV) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

(Mat 12:26 NIV) If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?