Continued from: Part 6 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:8-10 NIV)

What Is the Spiritual Gift of Miracles?

The gift of miracles is the ability to call on God to do supernatural acts that reveal his power. People with the gift of miracles see God show up in extraordinary ways, from daily little events to major public displays. Examples from the Bible include demons being cast out of people, nature obeying God's authority, and the dead being raised. Obviously, these sorts of things are uncommon and do not happen regularly—otherwise they would not be viewed as miraculous. People with this gift do not chase signs and wonders, but they do expect signs and wonders to follow God's people who follow Jesus.

Miracles in Scripture

Acts 2:22 says Jesus performed many miracles, and John 20:20-31 says that Jesus' many miracles were to prove he was God. Jesus commanded nature (Mark 4:35-41), cast out demons (Mark 5:1-13; Matt. 12: 22), walked on water (Mark 6:45-51), turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), and fed over 5,000 people with one boy's lunch (John 6:1-14). The apostles did "many miraculous signs" (Acts 2:43), Stephen did "great" miracles (Acts 6:8), and Paul did "extraordinary" miracles at Ephesus (Acts 19:11). Also, Paul cast out demons (Acts 16:16-18), God blinded a sorcerer for Paul (Acts 13:6-12), and there were many miracles surrounding the ministries of Moses, Elijah, and Elisha.

Common Errors Regarding Miracles

• Some people who claim to have this gift use it to exalt themselves, but the gift exists to exalt God and spread the name of Jesus.
• Some say that the most godly people will have this gift, but even John the Baptizer never performed a miracle (John 10:41).
• Some Christians are prone to chase signs and wonders, but Jesus said that it is a wicked and evil thing to seek a sign (Luke 11:29).
• Some people think that a sign or miracle is guaranteed to prove to a non-Christian that Jesus is real, but Jesus said that some people would never believe in him even if they saw a miracle (John 4:48).

Do You Have This Gift?

• Do you truly believe that God can do the impossible?
• When you read of the many miracles in the Bible, are you encouraged because you love to see God made known in ways that cannot be ignored?
• Have you seen someone freed from demonic oppression?
• Have you seen God perform miracles?
• When you hear of or see miracles, is your faith in God greatly increased?
• Do you use stories of God's miracles to help prove to others that Jesus is God?