WHAT ABOUT MODERN DAY MIRACLES?       by Albert Gardner

 

 

When I was a boy preacher just starting out, an older woman who was a new Christian said to me, “What about the Holy Spirit?  If you can get some of it, I want it.”  Her relatives had been telling her she needed to have the Holy Spirit and be able to speak in tongues and do other miracles.  Her question was that if that power is available now, she wanted it.

 

Of course, her relatives were mistaken and were trying to lead her astray. Miracles were done by the apostles and others in the first century church.  They really did raise the dead, heal the sick, and cleanse lepers.  What they did was the real thing, unlike the deception by TV preachers today.  Have you noticed they always make an appeal for your money so they can continue their lavish lifestyle?  Why don’t people notice that?  Can you imagine one of the apostles knocking people down when they heal them?

 

There were only two ways to receive power to do miracles in the beginning of the church.  One either received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or one received laying on hands by an apostle.  Neither of these is available to us, therefore, miracles like those recorded in the New Testament are not done through men today.

 

BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT.  Jesus promised the apostles the Holy Spirit.  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever - - - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:16, 26).

 

Holy Spirit baptism on the apostles was a promise, while water baptism is a command (Acts 10:47-48).  The apostles received the Spirit to guide them “into all truth” (John 16:13).  The apostles did perform many miracles, but that promise was not made to us.

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus told the apostles not to depart from Jerusalem, “but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, you have heard of me” (Acts 1:4).  That is the promise we have just noted in John 14:16.  “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost no many days hence” (Acts 1:5).  He was talking to the apostles, and not to the general public.  The apostles did receive the Spirit in just a few days on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and Jesus calls that “baptism of Holy Ghost.”

 

LAYING ON HANDS.  The apostles could lay hands on others and impart the power to do certain miracles.  Those who received laying hands of the apostles could not pass that power to others.

 

Philip received laying on hands of the apostles (Acts 6:6), which enabled him to do miracles (Acts 8:6-7), but apostles Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on some of them (Acts 8:17).

 

Due to the fact that all the apostles died, we do not have anyone to lay hands on another to impart this power.  That means, that when the apostles died, and those died who received laying of hands of the apostles, it is obvious that no one else could get that power.  It is not even promised to us.

 

DURATION OF MIRACLES.  “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which in part shall be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10).  What is it that is “in part”?  It is tongues, prophecy, knowledge (verses 8-9).  What is it that is perfect?  Not Christ, though He is perfect.  It does not say when “HE” comes, but when “THAT” which is perfect is come.  It is not a person but a thing.  It is the completion of the New Testament which is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).

 

When people argue with this view, I reply, “You do not argue with me, but with the Bible.”  Also, if one has Holy Spirit baptism now, he should be able to do what those did in the Bible who had Holy Spirit baptism.  Heal a crippled man who has had deformed and twisted limbs from birth (Acts 3:1-8).  Raise the dead (Acts 9:37, 41).  WHAT DO YOU THINK?