Miracles, Wonders, & Signs

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #123b Re-Written 22MAR08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

No Wonder—Part Two: Miracles, Wonders, & Signs

by dave c

Acts 2:17 [Peter quoting Joel 2:28-32] "`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' 22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know (NIV).

God accredited the Son of Man, Jesus, to the men of Israel through demonstrations of “miracles, wonders, and signs.” The word “miracles” in Acts 2:22 is translated from the Greek word, dunamis (Strong's #1411); which means “force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself).” *“...All the words derived from the stem duna– have the basic meaning of being able, capable….one who exercises dominion authority...powers, miracles coming out of that mighty power of God inherent in Christ and which power was lent to His witnesses and ambassadors.” “Wonders” is teras (Strong's #5059), meaning: “...Of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen.” *“To watch, as being that which for its extraordinary character is apt to be observed and kept in the memory...a miracle regarded as startling, imposing, amazing, frequently used elsewhere for strange appearances in the heavens.” And finally, signs is derived from semeion (Strong's #4592); “...an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.” *“Sign, miracle with an ethical end and purpose. They are valuable not so much for what they are as for what they indicate of the grace and power of the doer or of his immediate connection with a higher spiritual world.” [*AMG Publisher’s The Complete Word Study New Testament (1992)]

Not surprisingly, when we break down the meanings for “miracles, wonders, and signs” we see a three tiered presentation of the Father’s dominion over creation as manifested through the person of the incarnate Son of God. Miracles (dunamis/power) are demonstrations of God’s control over material nature. Wonders (teras/amazing observations) are divinely imposed events that target the memory aspects of our rational nature. And signs (semeion/spiritually significant occurrences) are testimony that God is spirit and that believers are His spiritual children (1Co 2:4-16). We are created in God’s triune image as three part people (mind/body/spirit) and we are made into His likeness through the development of our ability to righteously discern the truth, communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make decisions that are commensurate with God’s own holiness.

In John 14 Jesus tells us: 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles [Strong's #2041; ergon; toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act] themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (NIV). Please notice the language of verse 12, “...ANYONE who has faith in Jesus WILL DO what He had been doing.” And what had the Lord been doing? First and foremost, the Son loved the Father and perfectly obeyed His will; The Good Shepard laid down His life for His sheep; and Jesus performed countless “miracles, signs, and wonders” among the people as he healed, provided for needs, counseled, and taught the Word of God. My brothers and sisters, we are called to the same ministry: We are called to Godly obedience (Jn 14:12-21). We are called to take up our cross and follow Him (Lu 9:22-26). And we are called to be filled with the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit (2Ti 1:6&7) in order to meet the material, rational, and spiritual needs of those whom we encounter in the name of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God the Father (Mt 25:34-40).

We read in Mark 16:15 [Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs [semeion; #4592] will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (NIV). WHOEVER believes...WILL BE saved...and THESE SIGNS WILL ACCOMPANY those who believe. While I know that each sign listed is individually possible, I believe they are given as collective examples of the type of spiritual power that followers of Christ should expect—I do not believe that Jesus intended to provide us a check-list of necessary proofs. Rather than thinking individually about these particular signs we need to think of them as examples of day to day experiences that everyone who transits time through this fallen planet should be witnessing. Regarding spiritual power, Paul told the Corinthians, Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power [dunamis—miraculous power] (1Co 4:18&19; NIV).