As we have observed the miracles of Paul were accomplished for the same reasoning that God fulfilled His miracles from the beginning of time, to bring individuals into relationship with Him. Paul was utilized by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the same purpose, drawing individuals into relationship with God. In order to properly understand the modern relevancy of Paul’s miraculous events, we must first understand the root word being discussed both scripturally and historically, miracles or dynamis. Following this discussion we will look at events today and provide insight into the possibility of miracles taking place in our modern context.
In properly comprehending the modern relevancy of miracles we must first define the term scripturally, historically, and modernly. The term miracle, dynamis, has been defined as: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, and power for performing miracles.[1] This term is utilized one hundred and twenty times throughout the New Testament and has been translated power, mighty work, strength, miracle, might, virtue, and mighty. According to the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary, the historical term miracle means: a wonder of wonderful thing, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, a spectacle or dramatic representation exhibiting the lives of the saints.[2] While a more modern definition is: an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.[3] With these as a foundation we are now able to properly develop our understanding for the modern relevancy of miracles.
Derickson explains that the “range of opinion on the issue of miracles is spread between those who believe God continues to work miracles today in the same manner and number as in the first century and those who see miracles as a first-century phenomenon.”[4] This quote provides the balanced insight needed to gain a proper footing for studying the potential for miracles today. Were the Apostles the last to see the Holy Spirit miraculously heal? Are miracles being accomplished today? These questions will gain an audience in this section and will hopefully obtain an answer.
The first question we will address is “Were the Apostles the last to see the Holy Spirit miraculously heal? Derickson set’s up the answer to this question by stating: “C. Peter Wagner, Gordon Fee, Oral Robert, and others claim that miracles performed by miracle workers have continued and can and should be experienced in the church today.”[5] According to Paul’s methodology, are there large numbers of people coming into relationship with God? Yes, often large revivals take place nationally and internationally where thousands come into relationship with God at one time. Are there often great needs among the people gathered in these crowds? Yes, where people are gathered together there is going to be great needs present (financial, sickness, possession, etc.). Has healing occurred and/ or persecution broke out? This is where a valid and definitive answer is not able to be provided. Everyone has watched the Benny Hinn crusades and watched the people stand up out of there wheelchairs, but then are seen being rolled out once the event has concluded. The question remains are miracles relevant today?
The second question that was posed asked: “Are miracles being accomplished today?” When passed through the methodology of Paul’s miraculous events, we see that each step of the methodology is taking place today, including the second half of the third step, persecution. We know that the Holy Spirit is present and active in the lives of believers, but are they taking the steps needed to utilize their powerful gift? Purtill, in Miracles, writes:
“Instead of saying baldly that experience shows that miracles do not occur, which is obviously question-begging in the context of this argument, the class of events which ‘experience proves don’t happen’ is described in some other way- as events which ‘exhibit causal irregularity’ or as events which ‘neither obey known scientific laws nor are taken as refuting alleged scientific laws’ or some similar description.”[6]
This simply states that it is inappropriate to definitely state those miracles do not happen, yet we cannot be certain that they have and if they do then it are going against all scientific understanding; which completely reflects the three definitions discussed earlier. The point that must be made is this, the Holy Spirit lives inside of believers today just as He did in the lives of the saints. Believers today must begin to live their lives in such a manner as well. This is why we must remain open to the move of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers today and allow Him to do all that He desires within one’s life.
Through this study on the miraculous events of Paul’s ministry and a discussion on the modern relevancy of miracles, we have explored Paul’s methodology when accomplishing miracles. We have analyzed today’s events in light of this methodology and discovered there is the potential for miracles to take place. Now, we must begin to live our lives in the manner Paul did and open ourselves up to the potential for miracles to take place.
“The power that worked in Jesus for His miraculous ministry not only is related to the power available to us today; it is exactly the same. As we relate to God in prayer, faith, and obedience we have abundant resources to go forth in Jesus’ name to preach everywhere ‘with signs following’ as did the early disciples.”[7]
[1] Thayer, Joseph H. Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2009.
[2] Shaffer, M. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. n.d. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,miracle (accessed June 15, 2011).
[3] Dictionary.com. January 2011. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/miracle (accessed June 15, 2011).
[4] Derickson, Gary W. "The Cessation of Healing Miracles in Paul's Ministry." Bibliotheca Sacra 155, 1998: 299-315.
[5] Derickson, Gary W. "The Cessation of Healing Miracles in Paul's Ministry." Bibliotheca Sacra 155, 1998: 299-315.
[6] Purtill, Richard L. Miracles. Edited by Richard Swineburne. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1989.
[7] Derickson, Gary W. "The Cessation of Healing Miracles in Paul's Ministry." Bibliotheca Sacra 155, 1998: 299-315.
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