The Role of Miracles, Signs and Wonders in the Church

1. Introduction

Today we will be looking at miracles, its impact on the body of Christ and its place in the church. Miracles can be simply defined as God making possible what under normal and natural circumstances would have been impossible. These are deeds that are enabled by the supernatural power of God to alter the normal course of nature. So miracles as seen in the Bible come from God and believers have been given authority by the Holy Spirit to cast out demons and perform miracles (Mt 10:1). In Mark 16:17-18, our Lord clearly teaches us His disciples, to expect miraculous deeds as we announce the gospel of His kingdom (Mt 10:1). It is the Lord’s desire that we His followers do the works that He did (John 14:12). This includes the greatest of all miracles, which is the converting of people to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The “greater” work that Jesus Christ referred to in John 14:12 is that we His disciples will do greater number of miracles through His Holy Spirit (as He returns to His Father) including greater scope of ministry.

Christ expects that the supernatural signs and miracles continue in the churches in our days until His return. Scripture never suggests that these signs were restricted to the period of the early church. We are therefore expected to demonstrate the power of the kingdom as our Lord Jesus did (Acts 10:38) by casting out demons and healing the sick. We can see very clearly that these signs are not special gifts for a few, but are signs to all believers who in obedience to Christ witness the gospel and claim its power.

2. The impact of miracles
i. God uses miraculous signs and wonders to liberate people from their captivity as we preach the gospel (Mark 5:18-20).
ii. The power of God is manifested by signs and wonders as we proclaim the gospel (Acts 16:25-31)
iii. Miracles are accompanying signs by which God confirms the words of witnesses (Mark 16:20)

3. Its place in the church
From (1) and (2) above, we notice that miracles or signs including healing and deliverance from satanic oppressions come along as we proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Miracles and/or signs and/or wonders are therefore not the focus or crux of the gospel, neither are they its emphasis.
In Mt 7:21-23 “21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Our Lord Jesus in these verses teaches that entry into the kingdom of heaven is not dependent on our receiving miracles or deliverance from demonic oppressions, neither is it dependent on our being used by God to perform miracles but it is dependent upon our doing the will of God as we live in true holiness and righteousness (vs 21). The Lord’s statements in verses 22-23, in very clear terms show that it is possible for preachers to proclaim the gospel in the name of Christ, drive out demons and perform miracles while they themselves have no genuine saving faith in Christ.

Let us also remember that fervent preaching of the gospel with apparent zeal for righteousness and the working of miracles can be performed in this age under the influence and power of satan. We are warned by Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 11:14-15 “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.”

4. Conclusion
As the church faces the challenges of the last days, we need to pray fervently for God to confirm the gospel with great power, miracles and abundant grace (Acts 4:33). We must pray that God will give us a discerning spirit to distinguish between genuine miracles and fake ones. It is important for us to know that not all “miracles or signs” are from God, neither are signs and wonders markings of a true church.
Let us entreat that God will give us the grace to proclaim the gospel in the power of the New Testament witness. It is only through this that we will be able to reach those lost generations for Christ.

God bless you.