 Can Modern People Perform Miracles As Christ Did?
Dear Friend:
I read in the Bible of wonderful cures wrought on the sick by Jesus and his disciples. Can we work those same miracles today? - Samuel A.
Dear Samuel:
Two extremes are seen in regarded to the subject of miraculous divine healing as recorded in the Bible. On one hand are those skeptics who refuse to believe that Christ and his apostles actually healed the afflicted in a supernatural way. On the other are those folks who claim they also have the power to heal the sick by miraculous means. A study the miracles of Jesus helps us to see the fallacy in both of these views.
For the skeptics: The miracles were done openly before hundreds, even thousands of witnesses. They were done in the presence of his enemies who were forced to say, "for indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it" (Acts 4:16). Eye witnesses saw and recorded those miraculous acts for us. They were reputable men who were willing to die rather than renounce the truths they told. The New Testament they wrote has been demonstrated to be true and reliable. In spite of many attempts to discredit its testimony it still stands unscathed.
Concerning those who claim they can heal miraculously. A careful comparison of the healings of Christ and the apostles with those of modern faith healers reveals a stark contrast.
- Christ healed any and all the afflicted folks brought to him. Luke the physician says, "all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them." (Luke 4:40). Faith healers are selective and frequently fail to help their suppliants.
- Christ's healings were instantaneous (Luke 4:39). Faith healers send their patients home with a promise that they will be getting better. Most never do. Remember that most of our illnesses will gradually be overcome with no help at all. God as created us with natural regenerative powers in our bodies that restore our health in most cases, given time.
- Christ never asked money of those he healed. Faith healers routinely do this with calloused indifference for the hardships they impose on their patients.
- Christ could heal people whether they believed or not (Luke 22:50-51). Faith healers find it a convenient escape to blame their failures on their patient's lack of faith.
Many of the faith healers seen on TV are not only mistaken, they are charlatans who deceive multitudes to enrich themselves. Repeatedly they have been caught and exposed. Strangely there are religious folks who love to believe bizarre and incredible things and follow and support those who practice them. Remember Paul's warning, "Let no man deceive you" (II Thess.2:3).
John Waddey |
