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The Bible Teaching about Miracles and Spiritual Gifts

Introduction:

Much confusion exists about the work of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this study is to learn what the Bible says about the work of the Spirit in miracles and spiritual gifts, especially in the New Testament age.

We begin with some important preliminary facts.

The Holy Spirit has done various different works in history.

This study concerns mainly His work in New Testament times. Prior to the birth of Jesus, He did the following things:

* Active in creation and in sustaining the universe - Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; 26:13; Psalm 104:30.

* Guided Old Testament prophets - 2 Peter 1:21; Mark 12:36; 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Hebrews 3:7; 10:15

* Conceived Jesus in Mary's womb - Matthew 1:18,20; Luke 1:35

Many miracles which God or the Spirit did in the past have ceased and will not be repeated.

  • Creation - Gen. 1,2 (cf. 2:1,2)
  • The Flood of Noah's day - Gen 6-9 (note 9:8-17)
  • The virgin birth - Matthew 1:18,20; Luke 1:35
  • Jesus' resurrection
  • The work of apostles living on earth (Acts 1:21,22)

    • Sometimes folks claim that the Spirit/God did miracles in the past, so He must do so today. They claim God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. They say that if we say there are no miracles today, then we are saying God does not have the power He used to have or does not love us like He used to, etc.

    To admit there are any miracles he has done but is not doing today is to admit all such arguments are not valid. But here are a number of miracles He has done, which we must agree He is not doing today. The question then becomes whether He is doing any miracles at all today.

    In this study we will consider the following topics about miracles (please click on the links to study the specific topics):

    1. The Nature of Spiritual Gifts

    (What were the gifts like? How can we distinguish true miracles from counterfeit ones? Do modern "miracles" have the characteristics of true miracles?)

    2. The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

    (Why did God give these powers to men? Did they fulfill their purpose? Are these purposes needed today? Do modern "miracles" fulfill the same purposes?)

    3. The Imparting of Spiritual Gifts

    (How did people receive spiritual gifts? Do the means for receiving spiritual gifts exist today?

    4. The Duration of Spiritual Gifts

    (How long did God intend for the gifts to continue? Were they ever to cease? If so, when and why? Are they available to people today?)

    (c) Copyright 2000, David E. Pratte

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