This is a response to a discussion about Modern day Miracles. In this exchange I believe the conflict is the misuse of the word Miracle.
The respondent said: keep it simple bro and ust live it! until you have experienced it, i don't think any amount of swapping scriptures back and forth will ever convince anyone of anything...it is the Holy Spirit who does the convincing and Him only...other wise it is just mental gymnastics! As a sober alcoholic sober since Dec 10, 1974 I know He is real and doing miracles today and heals today too. I am a witness of this.
Greetings interesting, I am sure you are sensor in your belief that Modern Day miracles exist and I do not question your Love for the Lord. But I must respectfully disagree with your hypothesis and ask some serious questions. No modern day miracles have been recorded in modern history. In fact after the death of the Apostles and the ones they laid hands on died no further miracles are recorded. Sure there are claims of miracles but they are always under suspect circumstances. In the first century there were no questions that miracles happened. Those that the miracles happen to were well know by everyone as having one incurable disease or an illness. Interestingly one of the miracles gifts was to raise the dead and no one claims to be able to do that except for one which I will wait until the end to divulge. Modern day Charismatic believers generally seize or claim three basic miraculous gifts, Tongues, prophecy and minor healings all of which are suspect.
On the day of Pentecost Jews from every nation were gathered together in Jerusalem and those folks spoke different languages. Notice in Acts 2:6-12 that they Apostles spoke, actual languages which were in existent at that time, that the people spoke so they could hear the Gospel message.
Acts 2:6-12 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (KJV)
Most tongues are not a accentual existing language, like German, Arabic or even Italian. Most tongues are said to be spiritual or angelic in origin or some other unprovable source. The Bible teaches that tongues were for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to the recipients in their own language. These were real relevant languages not unintelligible by the audience. I speak a foreign language, but and when I speak to a Charismatic believer they have yet to understand what I am saying. Which makes the claim suspect? Have you ever noticed that more women speak in tongues than men? Could it be because they are more emotional?
Healings is another one that interestingly is suspect. The Brain is powerful and if you believe someone speaks for God and says you are healed for a moment your symptoms are gone. There are many instances where folks stop taking meds after a healing service, got worse including death. Ponder this, why is it you never see crippled twisted bodies being healed as in the day of the apostles? If all of the great miracles are taking place then why does it never make the news and why is it never documented? When the first century Apostles performed a miracles they fixed twisted and withered limbs. Not like today.
Interestingly, I attended a debate about this subject and it was revealed that the pastor who promoted the Charismatic position had a Blind man in his congregation and was present at the Debate. The Pastor was asked why he could not heal him own member even so he had claimed to had heal so many others in the past? He would say, in response to his parishioner, “God’s grace was sufficient for you.” Once again the claim is suspect? Is there anyone in your congregation crippled, suffering from a debilitating disease and hasn’t been healed? If so why have they not been healed? Some will say its because they lacked faith. When the Apostles healed it only required them to have the faith to ask for healing.
As I alluded to previously about raising the dead; I ran into a Mormon Missionary who claimed he could raise the dead; so I challenged him for us to go down to the mortuary and he could raise the first one and I would raise the second one as God is not a respecter of persons. His response was he didn’t want to test God. Right! Needless to say his claims were suspect.
I have worked as a personnel worker for many years trying to teach the simple, common sense gospel message and in all of my years I have ran into every variety of religious folks; but have never been able to verify any type of miracle wonder or sign. I have been told some whoppers, but always without evidence.
Once again thanks for your comments. I appreciate your Love for the Lord and hope you prayerfully consider the questions raised. I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. By the way the only miracle I wish to perform is opening eyes to the simple gospel message of Jesus Christ.
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Thanks and Have a Blessed day
Randy9
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