Someone writes, "I've known some people whose conversion would basically be a miracle. Yet God doesn't convert people by a miracle. He does it by someone sharing the good news of Jesus and the love of God." * * * I would like to select "all the above." Yes, God brings people to faith through preaching the gospel. But God is the one who opens spiritual eyes (2 Cor. 4:4-6), who opens hearts to hear (Acts 16:14), who gives faith (Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:9), who gives life to men and women dead in sin and enables them to repent and believe (Eph. 2:1; Acts 11:18). God is still in the general … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader writes, "You said that early Christian writers document miracles for several centuries after the New Testament was written. I have been taught that spiritual gifts and miracles stopped when the Apostles all died. Can you give some citations for your statement?" * * * We continue our look at some of many Church Fathers who testify to Christian ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, through which individuals were healed of various diseases or were released from demonic oppression, as follows. Lactantius (died A.D. 320), "The Epitome of the Divine Institutions," chap. 51 -- … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader writes, "You said that early Christian writers document miracles for several centuries after the New Testament was written. I have been taught that spiritual gifts and miracles stopped when the Apostles all died. Can you give some citations for your statement?" * * * Among many Fathers who testify to Christian ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, through which individuals were healed of various diseases or were released from demonic oppression, are the following. Tertullian, "To Scapula," chap. 4, written between A.D. 196-212 -- "Heaven knows how many distinguished … [Read more...]

"If God's revealed word is perfect and complete," writes a beloved brother serving God in South America, "I do not expect a new message today. 'His divine power has given us everything we need' (2 Pet. 1:3). Through the Scriptures, we are 'thoroughly equipped for every good work' (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Jesus brought God's final and perfect message (Heb.1:1-2). Does that make sense? Have you thought through some of these things?" * * * It makes sense that we need no more Scripture -- although if one took your point absolutely, we should not need the New Testament Scriptures either, since the … [Read more...]

A brother in Mississippi says that Acts relates the Greek word dynamis ("power") only to Apostles or persons upon whom they laid their hands. He concludes that God has not exerted such "miracle" power since then. He rejects contrary testimony by later church fathers, since we are not to "discard revelation for perception." * * * It should not surprise us that the book called "Acts of the Apostles" reports the acts of the Apostles (including apostle-extraordinaire Paul) and those with whom they had first-hand contact. However, Luke suggests a somewhat deeper focus in his opening verse. His … [Read more...]

A Mississippi brother suggests that divine miracles such as those found in the Book of Acts occurred until the Apostles and their immediate converts died, then ceased forever. As evidence, he cites Acts 1:8, Mark 16:20 and Hebrews 2:4. * * * The specific promise in Acts 1:8 of forthcoming "power" is addressed to the Eleven Apostles. In this verse, Jesus directly relates that power to the coming of the Spirit, an event which the very next chapter of Acts records. However, divine witnessing power is not limited to the Apostles, as Acts 4:31 makes plain with its report not only that the whole … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader says: "I believe that God still works but not in supernatural ways. Today God works through natural law. Miracles in the Bible go against or supercede natural law. God has stopped doing miracles." * * * God is supernatural and all his works are supernatural by definition. What we call "natural" activities are merely the usual or ordinary ways we observe God working in the universe. "Laws of nature" are nothing but our conclusions based on inductive reasoning, formed by observation of the ordinary courses of the created world around us. There is no "law of nature" apart … [Read more...]