We have all heard about something extraordinary that has happened and just can’t be explained through natural laws, but do miracles actually happen today? Webster’s Dictionary defines a miracle as, “an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God.” Even though there are many who say that either miracles just plain do not exist or they were only for a certain period of time in early church history, the Bible just assumes that miracles happen and are even happening today through the church.

It’s hard to even begin to think of the legitimacy of miracles when you look at all the crazies on tv that fool the masses for their own personal gain, but we must not use those wackos as our measuring stick but the Bible its self. Also, even though someone may seem to be doing marvelous things, the Bible gives many examples of people who do false miracles through satanic power. But there are several purposes of miracles as well as reasons why we should not be surprised that they happen today.

Purposes

Even though God is always working in the world, he also chooses to act in less common ways by means of miracles. But what for? What are the purposes of miracles happening today? The three main purposes of miracles is to authenticate the message of the Gospel, to exalt God by showing his rule on earth, and simply to help those who are hurting and in need. It must also be said that it is the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves people and not miracles. Many times in the Bible women and men saw incredible signs and wonders done by God but still chose to walk away.

Do they happen today?

Some would say that miracles did exist, but it was just for a short period of time with Jesus and the Apostles. However, the Apostle Paul and the Bible just assume that miracles are being used in the church. In 1 Corinthians 12.9-10, the gifts of healing and miracles is included in the list that the Holy Spirt gifts to some christians. These gifts are also not just describing the gifts of the apostles, but to the church as a whole. A few lines down in verse 28, Paul even makes himself super clear and makes a distinction between the apostles and those who have been given the gift of miracles from God.

In other portions of Scripture, Paul writes to places where no Apostles are even present and just assumes that miracles are being done in the church. And even though they are done not for personal benefit but to glorify God, there are actually more verses given of times when the Apostle Paul could not heal someone than when he could. So even though a christian may have the gift of healing, it does not mean that God will chose to work through that person 100% of the time.

Think of times when you may have experienced a miracle in your life or in the life of a friend. And if you have never experienced something extraordinary from God, ask that he would do the greatest miracle and make himself known to you in a real way this week.

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