SIGNS AND MIRACLES ARE FOR UNBELIEVERS:
Only through the Holy Spirit does God give to His children various gifts. These gifts may be given for the working of miracles, and/or other supernatural powers, this in order to entice and to draw unbelievers to the Lord. With the Holy Spirit working in and through believers, there will be no doubt as to the source of this supernatural gift.
These gifts may come in the form of preaching, teaching, healing, speaking in a foreign language = (tongues,) languages having never learned by the speaker, etc. This is the means by which God has chosen to spread the good-news to unbelievers. Christian workers will use their gifts to entice and draw men to the Lord.
How people respond varies greatly. What an unbeliever observes will cause them to make a decision. The works of the Son have been made known, now we have to make a decision to accept or reject, this is our choice alone.
If a person has heard, or read the gospel, it will be understood by them in such a way they will either receive by faith, or reject the message wholly. The good news will expose any, and all of the hidden thoughts of a person’s hearts. These signs, wonders and miracles are not to be used for the purpose of promoting one’s self, or to extract money, enhance a religious organization, or a personal agenda, but to build the body of the church so as to glorify Jesus Christ for the saving of souls.
False prophets claim to heel the sick, the blind and the lame. They claim they can literally drive out evil spirits from a person. The person then falls to the ground shaking violently. Because of the persons convulsions it appears not to have been driven out, but to have possessed that person.
These are showmen who entertain thousands, deceiving, and preaching lies. They claim to cast evil spirits from people. “Put your hand to the T.V. screen and I will cast the demon from you.” They claim to even rebuke Satan himself. They spread a false hope, a lie to those who are seeking after the Lord. Their emphasis is always on money.
Donations pour in from those who can least afford it. Some give money hoping for a sign from God. Others pray for a miracle payday. They take money from those who can least afford it. God said, “My people are lost from a lack of knowledge.”
These false prophets need to be put to the test of Scripture. They themselves are lost; their messages grow louder under the bright lights, false promises, and deception they lay at the feet of their congregations. Lying tongues of hypocrites, deceivers, wolves that are dressed in sheep’s clothing, claiming their power comes from God’s Holy Spirit. This movement has had enough time and has converted enough people to heal the entire population of the world 1000 times over. So why are things getting worse???
Hosea 4:6, God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” Examine the words of these false teachers; carefully, compare what they say with Scripture, your eternity may depend on taking a few minutes here to do just that. Support those who do the Lord’s work, and not those who claim to. A Christian will not seek after signs, for theirs is to, “believe by faith.”
Gifts, signs, wonders, and miracles: This power of signs, wonders and miracles does not reside in anyone continually, but is given when needed to advance the kingdom of God. Did you read that, these signs, wonders and miracles do not reside in any one person continually, they are given only when needed to advance God’s kingdom.
What is the gospel?
The gospel is not a sign, wonder, or miracle. Paul said in 1 Cor.15:1, “I declare unto you the Gospel” and,
1 Corinthians 1:17, Christ sent him (Paul,) “to preach the Gospel.”
1 Timothy 3:16, It is, “God (Jesus) manifest in the flesh.”
1 Corinthians 1:18, It is, “the preaching of the cross.” Ver.23, It is, “Christ crucified.”
1 Corinthians 15: 3, It is to know that, “Christ died for our sins.”
Verse 4, that, “He rose again the third day.”
Verse 15, and that the Father, “raised up Christ.”
John 10:18, Jesus said speaking of His life, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
1 Corinthians 15: 20, “Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept = (died.)
1 Corinthians 15:21, “by man = (Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead = (believers.)”
1 Corinthians 15:24, we find, “He = (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and powers.”
1 Corinthians 15:25, and, “till He hath put all enemies under his feet = (trampled, destroyed).”
This is the true Gospel message. Jesus has been given all power and authority over the creation. To those who are His, He gives the perfect gift, the gift of salvation.
All other gifts are for the purpose of spreading the gospel. In other words gifts are the tools that help spread the gospel. We are to receive these gifts in all humility and thanks. Jesus is to be honored, glorified, and edified in the use of these gifts. None are for self-exaltation.
The word sign, in the Greek is, “semeion.” It refers to something addressed to man’s senses to attest to the existence of God’s power. It is something by which another thing is shown or represented, a token. It is any visible thing, any motion, appearance, or event, which indicates the existence or approach of something else. It could come as a wonder, a miracle, a prodigy, a remarkable transaction, event, or phenomenon. It could be a visible mark or representation, as in an outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace. It is used in the Bible in the following ways.
A sign is given by which the divine power and majesty is made known; also a supernatural event or act, token, wonder, or miracle by which the power and presence of God is manifested, either directly or through the agency of those whom He sends.
As The Work Or Labor of God.
Compare 1 Corinthians 14:22, with verse 25, “Where tongues = (languages) are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:” –“And thus are the secrets (the hidden thoughts) of his = (the unbeliever) heart made manifest = (known.)”
The inner character of a person is opened by the sword of the Spirit. Heb.4:12, “For the word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit — and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” See Also James 1:23.
Have you ever felt the preacher’s sermon must have been aimed directly at you? This is how a sign will show an unbeliever that God is. This is God’s word working in them through His Holy Spirit. Yet many reject.
The apostles began speaking in tongues (various languages through the Holy Spirit). Languages the apostles had not been trained in, or were familiar with. This was the sign, the miracle of the Holy Spirit working in them, to those who did not believe. In this about 3000 were brought to Christ.
A Sign of God’s Displeasure:
Compar 1 Corinthians 14:21, with verse 25, “In the law it is written, with men of other tongues = (languages) and other lips = (dialects) will I = (God) speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. — And thus are the secrets = (hidden thoughts) of his = (the unbelievers) heart made manifest = (known.)”
The sign was the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostles. Jesus was speaking to an evil and adulteress generation, a generation which continually sought after signs. Many Christians’ today are looking for a sign from God. Are you seeking after signs or miracles from God? If so, what happened to your faith?
Compare Matthew 12:39, with verse 40, Jesus said to the Pharisees,
“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: — For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
The Lord was raised from the dead after spending three days and three nights in the earth. This was that sign to this evil and adulterous generation, but they believed not.
Concerning persons sent from God. Those whose character and acts are a manifestation of God’s Divine power. Let’s take a look at the man Jonah.
Luke 11:30, Jesus said, “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.” Note, Jonas is a variant of the name Jonah.
Jonah’s hatred for the Ninevites ran deep in his soul and spirit. They were a pagan nation, a brutal people, conquerors and murderers. The god of the Ninevites was a pregnant woman to whom they gave worship. This was not unusual. Many people and nations in Jonah’s day worshipped various pregnant female goddesses.
So what was so different? This goddess was pregnant with a fish. Her son was to be born part man, part fish. God in His infinite wisdom knew this people. He would create for them a sign that even they could not ignore.
Back to Jonah: The Lord had prepared this great fish. Jonah is thrown overboard, swallowed and taken into the deepest part of the oceans. He remained alive in its belly for three days and three nights. Now the great fish is guided to the shores of this powerful enemy of the Jews, and he is now vomited out upon the land.
Is it any wonder, when this people saw this man who appeared to have been born of this great fish, let him walk through their city, his message was a harsh communication, directed at their many sins of inhumanity. As Jonah walked through the city he cried out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
The king and the people heard and believed. For this, God spared the city. This was a sign from God to a pagan murderous people. The effect of this sign and the events which followed were,
1. To receive God’s messenger,
2. To believe the message,
3. To repent and receive the true God.
As God had used Jonah, the Father also sent his Son as a sign. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost; to establish a new covenant, and bring the nations of the world back to the glory that had been lost.
Luke 2:34, “Simeon blessed them = (Mary and Joseph,) and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set = (destined) for the fall = (ruin) and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;” The physical birth of our Lord Jesus was that sign. “Emmanuel, — God with us.”
Simeon may have been making a reference to,
Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root = (Jesus was branch from the root) of Jesse, (who was the father of David) which shall stand for an ensign = (sign) of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek.”
The meaning of Luke’s message appears to be that concerning the rejection of their Messiah by the rulers and the people themselves. In this rejection, they showed that what they really sought was the glory and honor which comes from the world, and not that sign which would come from God.
The birth of the Messiah in the line of David was for them a sign. The religious leaders who were loud in their professions of sanctity and devotedness to God, rejected the God they claimed to worship. Why, because Jesus kingdom was not of this world. Thus, the reasoning of their hearts were revealed.
Also, there was the act of the pouring out of the signs of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, which threw a new light on the whole subject. This sign was received by many.
Of signs, wonders, miracles which the Father is said to do through any person, this including his only begotten Son.
Acts 2:22, Peter said, “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 = (the Father) did by him = (Jesus) in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know;” Peter was reminding these unsaved men on this day of Pentecost of the signs, wonders, and miracles which the Lord had done, before His death.
Acts 2:43, “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” The man Jesus, who these people had just crucified were now told that He had been appointed by the Father, to be the Judge of both the living and the dead. Now came to them the rude awakening; full of remorse, and now apprehensive of the judgments of God.
The signs and wonders that were continually done by the apostles were proof enough of the origin of their doctrine, and mission. These who heard became aware of their own violations of the faith, the broken promises, vows, allegiances, meanness and wickedness. Crimes committed against the God they claimed to worship. But their worship was with their mouths only, and not with their hearts.
Acts 4:29-30, Peter and John prayed, thanking God, “grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they = (God’s servants) may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine = (God’s) hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of the Holy Child Jesus.” With,
Verse 31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Thus,
Acts 5:12, “by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought = (done) among the people;” This verse is to be read with verse 15. Unbelievers began to believe, because of the miracles = (signs) and wonders God was working through the apostles. The people,
“brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow = (fall on) some of them.”
Verse 16 reveals that not only the sick, but those with, “unclean spirits” were healed. The unsaved, the Gentile people received signs, = (the exorcism of evil spirits, and healing the incurably sick) and they believed.
Acts 14:3, “Long time therefore abode they = (Paul and Barnabas) speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
The apostles bold speech sprang from the conscientiousness of the truth which they preached. They spoke of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the doctrine of the Father’s grace and mercy to mankind. Again; no person can work a sign or wonder of themselves, but this gift is granted only by a special dispensation of God through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 15:12, “Then all the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”
The newly converted Pharisees, said, It was necessary to circumcise new Gentile believers, and that these new converts were to be told to keep the law of Moses. Those in the crowd turned to the apostles to hear what they had to say. Peter’s comments could not be disputed. He said,
Circumcision is a sign of the purification of the heart, and no longer of the flesh.
That purification can only be brought into effect by the Holy Ghost. When a person of the world comes to Christ, this life change becomes a sign to those who see the effect of true repentance in that person.
Finished are the drugs, drunkenness, immoral conduct, materialistic life style, covetous, etc. Because they were now circumcised in their heart by the power of the Holy Ghost, it was no longer necessary for the outward sign of circumcision.
The Showing of Future Events:
Matthew 16:3, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying, “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
Jesus spoke to these spiritual leaders, calling them hypocrites. The least of them were able to determine the weather by simply examining the sky. Jesus said, because you are a wicked and adulterous generation, you seek after a sign. This people had been engaged to God. But they became a cheating disloyal woman. Israel had forsaken her first love, and had become a whore. Her new lover is Satan, and what she practiced was sin.
Like the Jew, many Christian’s today seek after signs, sifting through, then examining current events for signs from God. Others seek after wonders, miracles, healing, prosperity, they practice speaking in an unknown earthy language. This supposed language is a private prayer or request to God.
Are they really speaking to God or is it the prince of the power of the air they are communicating with? Those who babble do not understand what they are saying, but they babble on. May they soon realize the error of their ways, for God will not be mocked!
I pray in English, it’s the language God has blessed me with. I am sure that He hears me, then works through me, and in this I plant the seed of His word, this for His glory alone. I have been blessed in a few good friends, health, work, and given this ministry by His grace. He has supplied me with the tools, given me the understanding, the gifts, the will, the strength and the love that can come from Him alone.
When I get down, He sends others to encourage me. He challenges me, He guides my thoughts and my hands on my keyboard. I was witness to the sign He sent me when I was an unbeliever. In this He showed me His Son. The seed He planted has now grown and matured. In this I am happy in the Lord Jesus Christ.
By His grace have I been brought along, and by His grace alone can I continue. All this because I say in my native language, “Bless me Lord, give me this day so I may bring your Holy word to those you have drawn to yourself. Also to those who view this forum, this web-site, and to those I may meet in the course of a day, and to those who my come to my home. I am not ashamed of your word, your finished work, your person, and it’s all for your glory. Amen.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com