The Miracles

 

I remember watching "The Ten Commandments" with Moses being played by Charlton Heston. After the movie, one was almost convinced Charlton Heston was Moses. The movie debuted in 1956 and was an amazing film for the time. Although sporting some Biblical inaccuracies and considerable freedom taken for the storyline, the Exodus story was vividly brought to life on the big screen. As popular as it was, we didn't see very many folks after the movie claiming to be able to divide the Red sea. However, that is not the case with the New Testament miracles. In the previous five series posts, I have written a number of arguments in favor of Cessationism in contrast to Pentecostalism and the movement that began at the turn of the 20th Century. As an extension to those articles, I want to take a look at the miracles in the New Testament and what Pentecostalism claims is still operating within the frame of Christianity. 

In over 25 years of traveling in the Pentecostal / Word of Faith churches, I have seen people lying on the floor supposedly slain by the power of God. I have seen adults and children dancing in aisles supposedly being inspired by the Holy Spirit, one particular form of this dancing was tagged by the critics as "the bunny hop". I have seen people run around in the church and even run out of the church supposedly under the power of the Holy Spirit. I have seen people who were prayed for with allergies, back pain, soreness, stiffness of joints, etc, with testimonies following of some measure of healing. There were a number of people who had cancer prayed for over the years that later died from the disease. I personally prayed for a blind man to be healed while at work one day. As far as I know, if he is still alive, he is still blind. A few in wheelchairs were prayed for but no one got out of their wheelchair. In one large Kenneth Hagin meeting I was in, about 6,000 were in attendance, I heard Kenneth Hagin say during one of his sermons he felt like someone needed to get out of a wheelchair. In the line of wheelchairs off to the side of the platform, someone stood up. I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman, they were too far away, but the place went crazy with praise and people shouting. However, nothing was ever said about who it was or what was wrong with them, or if standing up was even something they couldn't do before. You just heard people saying someone got out of a wheelchair during the meeting. Not really an eyewitness that would hold up in court probably. These and many similar things were presented and practiced while claiming it was a continuation of the signs, wonders, and miracles we read about in the Bible. 

Let's step through the Bible and examine just what it is that is supposedly continuing today. The first of these Apostolic miracles are recorded in Acts 3:1-21 ESV

(1)  Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

(2)  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

(3)  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

(4)  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

(5)  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

(6)  But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

(7)  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

(8)  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

(9)  And all the people saw him walking and praising God,

(10)  and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

(11)  While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.

(12)  And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

(13)  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

(14)  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

(15)  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

(16)  And his name by faith in his name has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

(17)  “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

(18)  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

(19)  Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

(20)  that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

(21)  whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

In the previous chapter Act 2:43, we are told in general that many signs and wonders were done by the hands of the apostles. From the many miracles which were performed, Luke selects one of which he gives a more full account, especially as it gives him occasion to record another of the addresses of Peter to the Jews. The point to be made here is the signs and wonders were done by the Apostles. It is very clear such miracles were limited to the Apostles and those to whom they ministered. The manner in which it is done is also noteworthy, it was spontaneous, unexpected, immediate, and with a very distinct purpose. It is also notable that Peter and John did not organize a healing meeting or a week-long miracle crusade. 

The man was not required to have any faith, he simply expected or hoped for a monetary gift. He didn't even know to ask for a miracle. Peter and John seemed unaware also and Luke uses the word "ἀτενίζω" (gaze) to describe the moment. It carries the meaning, "to gaze intently: - behold earnestly (steadfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, steadfastly, up steadfastly), set eyes." It is used by no other writer in the New Testament, except twice by Paul, 2Co 3:7, 2Co 3:13. In both those instances you get the idea of an extended look, it seems when the man asks for alms, Peter and John's attention was drawn and as they looked they became aware something was about to occur. After contemplating and understanding what they were to do, Peter takes action. It was done to a man who was well known in a local community whereby all present could testify to the truth of his condition from birth, and no one could suspect foul play.

Notice what happens next, everyone in the temple was utterly astounded and ran together to the portico with their cell phones to capture the momentous event! Well, not exactly, that would be today. Don't you think it is somewhat strange with these signs and wonders continuing so often today we are not seeing a lot of that?

The human mind, though brilliant in so many areas, seems to tend toward mysticism when confronted with the metaphysical. Though the mind processes faster than the speed of light and gives you a vision of the universe, those in the most advanced mathematics and other fields of higher study, find themselves falling prey to mysticism and the faith it produces in the most absurd understanding of metaphysical thought. With the world population estimated at around 8 billion, it is estimated 7 billion are associated with a religious affiliation. The human mind by a vast majority is compelled to look beyond itself to something greater. It has a compelling desire, (though brilliant in its studies) to either worship or to become a god or gods. As you are processing that thought, consider that includes you and me. It seems we are looking for God to speak to us, touch us in some way, and let us know He is real. As a result, we fall prey to mysticism reaching for anything we can grasp to affirm that desire. What God says to us or how He touches us it seems is at the mercy of our own imagination.

The Roman Catholic Church is said to have a rigid, formalized vetting process when evaluating miracles, which are defined as divine events that have no natural or scientific explanation. Investigating a single miracle could take years.

After a 14-year process, the Vatican released its verdict on a young boy’s sudden recovery from a debilitating gastrointestinal condition: It was determined to be a miracle. The doctors had tried everything: antibiotics, diets, and numerous tests. But it seemed nothing could stop the 4-year-old boy from literally wasting away in 1998. The doctors began to suspect cancer, and the boy’s mother, a devout Catholic, began looking outside of medicine for a cure. She asked nuns to pray for her son. She found two Nuns who knew what to do. They prayed and asked Mother Theresia Bonzel, a dead German nun who lived 100 years ago, to intervene. The nuns prayed a novena, which is a nine-day vigil, asking Bonzel to heal the boy. As soon as their novena was complete, (not nine days of continuous prayer, but a prayer said every day for 9 days) the boy woke up and his stomach no longer hurt him. The illness never returned. This certainly is a compelling story and confirms in the minds of many Catholics the reality of God and the practice of praying to dead saints.

On September 21, 1995, a most unusual religious event occurred. It was called the milk miracle and the experience cut across the entire social strata from the most simple of people to the most educated of doctors, lawyers, and engineers. The most ardent and consistent worshippers had the experience, as did those for whom religion meant little and God was a dim concept. 

Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, and atheists shared in having their offerings accepted by Lord Ganesha, who even obliged TV news cameras with live coverage in many countries. In Sanskrit, the "milk miracle" would be called "kshira chamatkara." All observed the miracle in speechless wonder. "It was like union with God," said one engineer. This was not the result of any mere human's entreaty. 

When a spoonful of milk from a bowl was held up to the trunk of the statue of Lord Ganesha, the milk would disappear, apparently taken in by the idol. Word of the event spread quickly, and by mid-morning, it was found that statues of the entire Hindu pantheon in temples all over India were drinking milk. The unprecedented incident caused even curious non-believers to rub shoulders with believers and even fanatics all standing in long queues outside the temples. Most of them returned with a sense of awe and reverence and a firm belief that, after all, there may be something called God up there! 

India's media outlets were not sure at first if such a thing should merit a place in their news release. However,  they soon found themselves convinced that it was in fact true and so, newsworthy from every angle. Never before in history has a simultaneous miracle occurred on such a global scale. Television stations such as CNN and the BBC, radio, and newspapers (among them The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Daily Express) eagerly covered this unique phenomenon, and even skeptical journalists held their milk-filled spoons to the statues of gods and watched as the milk disappeared. A very compelling story and this time it establishes the practice of praying to Ganesha as well as any number of idols and serves for confirmation as a touch from the gods.

On June 1997, according to a reporter from the Express newspaper, UK, they were calling it the Miracle Tomato of Huddersfield. For when a schoolgirl sliced it in half she found written inside what thousands believe to be a message from God.  A young Muslim girl 14, was astounded to see the words, spelled out in Arabic, "There is only one God" and "Mohammed is the messenger" in the veins of each segment.

More than 50 worshippers a day were making a pilgrimage from all over Britain to see the wonderful tomato. And the shop which sold it did a roaring trade in the fruit since the find on that Sunday afternoon. The young girl made the discovery as she helped her grandparents prepare a salad at their terraced home in Lockwood, Huddersfield.

She paid about 60 pence for a bag of tomatoes on a trip to a store across the road with her cousin, also 14. When She returned she cut up the first two tomatoes into small pieces. But she took a third from the brown paper bag, and something made her stop. She turned to her grandfather who was 68, and asked: "Which way shall I cut the tomato, granddad?" After following his instructions the miracle was discovered. I am sure today, the impact of this event upon such a young mind is still a great confirmation to her and all who witnessed it of the Muslim faith. 

It appears miracles even happen outside of religious context, on October 27, 2015, A 3-year-old girl who was pronounced dead after a fever woke up a day later in a coffin, during her funeral ceremony. Police confirmed the incredible incident to the Philippine media outlet, after footage of the child seemingly rising from the dead at the funeral service in Bayabas went viral over the weekend. Citing accounts of the girl’s parents, the Police Senior Inspector said the toddler was taken to a local hospital on Friday after suffering a severe fever. He stated, “During that time, the attending clinic personnel and physician confirmed that the young patient had no more pulse and was clinically dead last Saturday morning about 9 a.m.,”. She was discovered to be alive when a funeral attendee removed the cover of the girl’s coffin and saw her head move. The parents immediately gave the girl water and rushed her to a clinic for a check-up. It was not mentioned if the family was affiliated with any particular religion or not. If they were, I'm sure this is confirmation of the truth of their faith and that whatever god they serve is the real god. If they were not, there was an opportunity open for someone to witness to them they were praying for her, and god (whichever one they happen to hold to) had answered their prayer and raised her from the dead. 

I present these accounts with much sensitivity to illustrate the danger of mysticism and the great confusion it brings with it. Opportunity for Confirmation Bias abounds. Confirmation Bias is the tendency to look for information that supports, rather than rejects, one’s preconceptions, typically by interpreting evidence to confirm existing beliefs while rejecting or ignoring any conflicting data. 

It seems we may be fashioning ourselves like many eastern religions looking for an experience with God through our emotional and sensory facilities. These facilities are not trustworthy, one psychological publication states, "there are deeply religious people who want to hear gods and spirits speak and cannot and atheists who report anomalous sensory events nearly indistinguishable from religious experiences". They would further explain by saying, "The central claim of this paper is that cultural models of the mind and personal orientations toward the mind shape people’s phenomenological experiences and their interpretations of these experiences in ways that manifest as cultural and individual differences in reports of spiritual presence events." 

In other words, mysticism. The Gospel and mysticism are to have no relation with each other. Many observe these phenomena and conclude all religions are basically the same, that perhaps there is a great something out there trying to communicate with us. Of course that leaves you not knowing what or who. For the Christian, all are clearly defined for us in the Scriptures. However, what God tells us in His word and what we may feel He is telling us through our human intuition are two completely different things. What we "feel" God wants us to do and what He actually tells us to do in His word may or may not agree. However, the only sure word is Scripture alone. The one major distinction in the miracles above is in the direction they take the mind. Only the Biblical account of Peter and John points you to the Gospel, all the others point you to mysticism and experience. Perhaps science has an answer to the phenomenons that presented themselves in each case but that is not the point. The Bible is about the Gospel from beginning to end, it is the running theme that builds from the fall to the consummation. The miracles in the Bible present their timing and purpose in such a way as to direct your mind toward what is being said as well as validate what is stated. Concealed in this framework the Biblical miracles are chasms apart from any other extraordinary phenomena or so-called miracles that may occur. We will continue to look at the Biblical miracles in the next post and I think you can see a clear distinction between them and what we are seeing today.   

2 Peter 1:19 KJV

(19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

David