Acts 2:22 "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
The above passage employs three terms to describe and identify what we commonly call miracles. They show that Jesus was approved of God while He was upon the earth. Each of these words has it's specific meaning, setting forth an aspect of the power demonstrated in the activity we call miracles.
We Need to See!
We need to see the meaning and purpose of miracles as they are revealed in the Old and New Testament. We need to be able, also, to re-cognize how a miracle is different from other acts and or events. The word "miracle" is ap-plied rather loosely today in our society. We need to make the distinction between present day usage and the Biblical usage of the term.
1. Definition of Miracles. "An event or effect in the physical world deviating from the known laws of nature, or transcending our knowledge of these laws; and extra ordinary, anomalous, or abnormal event brought about by super human agency" (Webster, quoted by H. Locker, All the Miracles of the Bible, p.13)
"A work out of the usual sequence of secondary causes and effects which cannot be accounted for by the ordinary operation of those causes, and which is produced by the agency of God through the instrumentality of one who claims to be representative, and in attestation of the message which he brings." (Wm. Taylor, quoted by Locker)
2. Meaning of Terms: a. Terata, translated "wonder" points to the effect that it has upon the mind of one who witnesses the display of power, producing astonishment and excitement. b. Semeion, translated "sign" pointing to the significance of the event or display of power as a SIGN: Signifying the power producing it! Seals of power set to the person performing the miracle. c. Dunamis, translated "power" manifesting the mighty power of God behind and involved in the event.
3. What Purpose they Served. John 2:11 "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
Notice, according to the above passage, This beginning of Miracles: 1) Manifested the glory of Jesus; 2) His disciples "believed on him." In Acts 2:22, the verse we quoted at the head of this article, claimed that Jesus was "approved of God" among them by the three classifications of His acts we call miracles.
His apostles, also, performed miracles, which when observed the people were amazed. Such acts were signifying that these men were speaking for God, just as they claimed to be. Therefore they deserved to be heeded! Consequently, people listened carefully and obeyed.
4. Division of Miracles. There are at least four categories of Miracles: 1. Power over nature: Jesus calmed the waters of the Sea. 2. Power over disease: Jesus and the apostles cured the sick ( Acts 3:6). 3. Power over death: Jesus and the apostles could and did raise the dead (Acts 9:36-42; John 11:41 44). 4. Power over demons: Jesus and the apostles had power to cast out evil spirits (Acts 16:16 18). Therefore, they had power over evil and all of its forces. That was something the people needed to recognize. It is something that we, too, need to understand and accept the consequences of.
Conclusion
Beloved, the miracles of Christ and the apostles are recorded for us. They cannot be explained by an honest and reasonable person to be anything other than what they came to be: Acts of divine forces over and beyond nature. Let us see them and be convinced that we should listen carefully to the teaching of the New Testament. Let us commit our lives to being involved in the activities demanded of us.
-William C. Bill Sexton
Albuquerque, New Mexico
