Author: William Kincaid

Signs, Wonders and Miracles
Mark 16.9-20 these signs shall follow them that believe, confirming the word with signs following
1.	In my name they shall cast out devils
2.	They shall speak with new tongues
3.	They shall take up serpents, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them
4.	They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover

Perception
Impressions: 
That Christ initiated an era of miracles, a Holy Spirit dispensation
That the church was, would be, and should be continuously filled with miraculous gifts
That being healed or speaking in tongues was the sign of true conversion
That believers were healed of all serious infirmities, physically and mentally restored
That physical health/healing is a birthright of believers (as well as prosperity and miraculous deliverances)
That the churches should seek miracles, miraculous gifts, healing, tongues
(Many churches place no importance on miracles, and don’t seek them, don’t believe in them, deny them, criticize them.)
Christ initiates signs and miracles
John 2.11 first miracle in Galilee
John 2.23 miracles in the feast
John 3.2 no man can do these miracles except God be with him
John 4.45 Galilaeans received him, having seen things he did at Jerusalem at the feast
John 4.46-8 come out of Judaea, besought heal his son, Except ye see signs and wonders will not believe
John 4.54 second miracle in Galilee (a man from Capernaum)
Luke 4.14-15 (first Galilee tour) fame of him through region, he taught in their synagogues
Luke 4.23 we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country (first tour included Capernaum? Or heard about nobleman’s son?)
Luke 4.30-32 came to Capernaum, taught on Sabbath days, astonished at his doctrine (33-39 unclean spirit, Peter’s M in law)
Luke 4.40-41 sun setting brought sick, healed every one of them
Mark 1.23-28 unclean spirit, immediately his fame all the region about Galilee
Mark 1.32  sun did set, all the city gathered at the door, healed sick, cast out devils
Mark 4.23-25 healing all manner of sickness, his fame throughout al Syria
Christ empowers disciples
Mat 10.1 twelve disciples gave them power against unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness
Mark 3.13-15 ordained twelve to preach, to heal, to cast out devils
Luke 9.1-2 called twelve and gave them power and authority over all devils, to cure diseases
Luke 9.51-62 time was come, set his face to go to Jerusalem, several wish to follow (begins Judaean Tour)
Luke 10.1 appointed other seventy also (similar instructions as to the twelve in Mat 10)
Luke 10.17 seventy returned with joy, devils subject unto us through thy name
Luke 10.19 I give power to tread on serpents and scorpions, over all power of the enemy, nothing shall hurt you
Christ prophesies further signs
John 14.12 he that believeth on me, the works I do shall he do also, and greater works
Mark 16.15-20 these signs shall follow them that believe
Apostles empowered (apostles were witnesses of resurrection, there were more than the original 12, perhaps the other 70, as many as 500 of 1 Cor 15.6, possibly all the early believers in Jerusalem, numbered 120 in Acts 1.15, certainly including Joseph Barsabas and Matthias, but likely also including the early leading men such as Barnabas, Mark, Philip and Stephen. Significantly, other than speaking in tongues, there is no indication of miracles performed by anyone who had no possible connection to the resurrected Christ, such as a Gentile convert.)
Acts 2.1-4 began to speak with other tongues
Acts 2.43 many wonders and signs done by the apostles
Acts 3.6-11 lame man healed (4.16,22)
Acts 4.30 grant that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Jesus
Acts 5.12-16 by the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
Acts 6.8 Stephen did great miracles
Acts 8.6-7,13 people gave heed unto Philip, seeing the miracles which he did
Acts 9.32-38 Peter heals Aeneas and Dorcas
Acts 14.3 Lord gave testimony unto the word and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands
Acts 15.12 declaring what miracles and wonders God wrought among the Gentiles by them
Acts 19.11-12 God wrought special miracles by Paul
Acts 28.1-6 shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm
Acts 28.8 Paul entered in, and prayed, laid hands, healed him
Rom 15.19 mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit (wrought by me)
Signs and miracles mentioned in the Epistles
Power over devils and to heal diseases was specifically given by Christ to the 12 and then to the 70, and possibly to the 120 (Acts 1.8 power with John 15.26,27). Those mentioned by name in Acts with such power besides the 12 were Stephen, Philip and Barnabas, all of which were leading men in the early Jerusalem church. Healings and miracles are mentioned among the gifts in the church, but at no point in the Bible do we read of miracles by someone not apostolic in character (without the possibility of having seen Christ personally and receiving that power from him directly). Since such power is called the “signs of an apostle” (2 Co 12.12), we can assume it was limited to the apostles, i.e. those directly connected to Christ in the flesh and empowered by him. If it were not limited to apostles, Paul could not have used his signs as proof of his apostleship.
1 Cor 12.4-11 diversity of gifts, including healing, miracles, tongues
1 Cor 12.28-31 apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, governments, tongues, covet best
1 Cor 14.1-3 spiritual gifts, but rather prophesy (prophesying is not a “spiritual gift”?)
Gal 3.5 he that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you
James 5.14-15 pray over him, prayer of faith shall save the sick
Emphasis on the word
Mat 28.18-20 all power given me, go therefore and teach (to observe whatsoever I have commanded you)
Acts 1.8 ye shall receive power, Holy Ghost, ye shall be witnesses unto me
Acts 4.33 with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
Acts 11.19-26 scattered preaching, hand of the Lord (signs?), great number believed, seen the grace of God
Acts 12.24-25 word of God grew and multiplied, returned from Jerusalem
Acts 13.1 in the church prophets and teachers
Eph 4.8-11 gave gifts unto men, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
Suspiciously normal afflictions among believers
Rom 15.1 strong bear infirmities of the weak
1 Cor 11.30 for this cause (taking Lord’s supper unworthily) many are weak and sickly among you
1 Cor 2.3 I was with you in weakness, fear, trembling
1 Cor 4.10 we are weak, ye are strong
2 Cor 6.4 in afflictions, necessities
2 Cor 10.10 bodily presence is weak
2 Cor 11.23-30 weariness, painfulness, fastings (hunger), cold, nakedness, mine infirmities
2 Cor 12.5-10 Paul’s infirmities
2 Cor 13.4 crucified through weakness, we also are weak in him
2 Cor 13.9 glad when we are weak and ye are strong
Gal 4.13-15 through infirmity of the flesh I preached at the first
Php 2.26-27 sick nigh unto death, God had mercy on him
Col 1.24 my sufferings for you, afflictions of Christ in my flesh
1 Th 5.14 comfort feebleminded, support the weak
1 Tim 5.23 use a little wine for thine often infirmities
2 Tim 4.20 Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick

Purpose
To Fulfill Scripture and Prove Messiahship
Isa 29.18 in that day shall the deaf hear, eyes of the blind opened
Isa 35.4-6 God will come, eyes of blind opened, etc.
Isa 42.7 to o;en the blind eyes, bring out the prisoners
Isa 42.16 will bring the blind by a way they knew not, make darkness light
Mal 4.2 Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings
Ps 103.3 who healeth all thy diseases
Ps 147.3 healeth the broken in heart, bindeth up their wounds
Jer 33.6 I will bring it health and cure (Jerusalem)
Mal 42 Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings
Isa 53.5 with his stripes we are healed
1 Pe 2.24 by whose stripes ye were healed
To Manifest his glory
Num 14.22 men seen my glory, my miracles which I did in Egypt
Mat 9.8 multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God
John 2.11 beginning of miracles, disciples believed on him, manifested his glory
John 5.20 greater works that ye may marvel
John 9.2 works of God manifest in him
John 11.40 if thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God
To Prove Christ’s power and authority
Mat 9.1-7 that ye may know hath power to forgive sins (Mk 2.10, Lk 5.24)
Mat 11.2-6 Art thou he? Blind receive sight, blessed he who shall not be offended in me (uk 7.20-23)
Mat 12.28 if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then kingdom of God is come unto you (Lk 11.20)
John 3.2 no man can do these miracles except God be with him
John 4.25 when Christ cometh he will tell us all things
John 5.36 greater witness than of John, the works bear witness
John 6.27 for him hath God the Father sealed
John 9.33 if this man were not of God he could do nothing
Acts 2.22 Jesus approved of God by miracles, wonders and signs
To Attract multitudes
Mat 4.24,25 his fame, he healed them, followed him great multitudes (8.1,18, 12.15, etc)
Mat 15.30 great multitudes having lame, blind… and he healed them 
Mark 3.8 a great multitude when heard what great things he did
Luke 5.15 went a fame abroad, great multitudes came
John 6.2 great multitude followed him because they saw the miracles
John 12.17-19 heard he had done this miracle, world gone after him
John 11.47-48 if we let him alone all men will believe on him
To Establish authority of apostles
Acts 15.12 multitude kept silence and gave audience, declaring what miracles wrought by them
Rom 15.18,19 wrought by me, to make Gentiles obedient through signs
2 Cor 12.12 the signs of an apostle were wrought among you, signs, wonder, mighty deeds
Heb 2.4 God bearing them witness with signs, wonders, miracles, gifts of the Holy Ghost
To Persuade unbelievers
John 2.23 many believed in his name when they saw the miracles
John 6.14 when they had seen the miracle, said This is of a truth that prophet
John 7.31 when Christ cometh, will he do more miracles?
John 9.16 how can a sinner do such miracles?
John 10.37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not
John 14.11 Believe me for the very works’ sake
To satisfy the Jew
1 Cor 1.22 Jews require a sign
Mat 12.28 Master, we would see a sign
Mat 16.1 Pharisees with Saducees desired a sign from heaven
Mar 8.11 Pharisees seeking of him a sign from heaven
Luk 11.16 tempting him sought a sign from heaven
John 2.18 Jews said What sign shewest thou
John 4.48 except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe
To Confirm the word
Deu 18.22 if the thing follow not, not spoken
1 Ki 13.3 gave a sign same day, altar shall be rent
Isa 44.26 confirmeth the word of his servant, performeth counsel of messengers
Eze 13.6 Lord hath not sent them, made others hope they would confirm the word
Mark 16.20 confirming the word with signs
Acts 4.29,30 grant boldness to speak thy word by signs and wonders (33 great power)
Acts 14.3 Lord gave testimony unto the word, granted signs and wonders
Heb 2.3 spoken by Lord, confirmed unto us by them with signs

Precedent
John 10:41 John did no miracle (miraculous signs started up with Jesus)
Acts 7.36 shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt
Exo 4.17 take this rod wherewith thou shalt do miracles
Exo 4.28-30 Moses told Aaron all the signs commanded him, did the signs
Exo 7.9-10 Pharoah demands a miracle
Exo 10.1-2 hardened his heart that I might show these my signs, ye know I am the LORD
Num 14.22 men seen my glory, my miracles which I did in Egypt
Deu 4.34,35 take him a nation by signs and wonders, that mightiest know LORD is God
Deu 6.21,22 say unto son, LORD showed signs, great and sore
Deu 7.19 the signs and wonders, so shall God do to the people of whom thou art afraid
Deu 11.1-7 your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord (26.8)
Signs ceased
Judg 6.13 if Lord with us, where be all his miracles which fathers told us of
1 Sam 3.1 the word was precious in those days, there was no open vision
Exo 12.24-27 when your children say, what mean ye by this service
Exo 13.14-15 when thy son asketh thee in time to come, what is this?
Deu 4.9 take heed lest thou forget the things whih thine eyes have seen, teach them thy sons’ sons
Josh 4.6,7 your children ask fathers in time to come, what mean ye by these stones?
Ps 44.1 our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their days, times of old
Ps 78.1-7 shewing to the generation to come his wonderful works that he hath done

Priority
The epistles mention signs and wonders, and even working of miracles, but the clear priority in all the epistles is the spiritual blessings in Christ. We were expected to seek the “best gifts.”
Mat 9.2 thy sins be forgiven thee
Mat 16.1-4 no sign given it but of Jonas
Luke 10.18-20 I give you power, rejoice not, but because your names are in heaven
John 4.48 Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe
John 6.26-27 seek because ye saw the miracles, labor not for meat that perisheth
John 17.2 power-eternal life
1 Cor 12.31 covet earnestly the best gifts
1 Cor 14.1 desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy

Prediction
That signs and wonders would cease (after the apostles?)
Ps 74.8,9 we see not our signs, no more any prophet
Isa 28.9,10 whom make to understand doctrine? Weaned, for precept upon precept, line upon line 
1 Cor 13.8-13 prophecies shall fail, tongues shall cease
2 Cor 12.12 signs of an apostle

Problems
Facts
That signs and wonders were exceptional, even during the ministry of the apostles
That signs and wonders were continually diminishing during the apostolic ministry
Historically believers have acknowledged that signs and wonders are not happening like they did before
Even today, healers don’t expect significant miracles
Fraud
That there were false apostles, and false signs from the beginning
Exo 7.11 Pharaoh called the sorcerers, they also did in like manner
Gen 41.8, 38 dream, only Joseph
Isa 19.11-12 wise men
Isa 47.12-13 stargazers
Dan 2.1-14, 27,28 I know ye would gain the time, ye have prepared lying and corrupt words
Dan 4.5-7 the soothsayers, they did not make known unto me the interpretation
Dan 5.7-11 bring in the astrologers, but they could not read the writing
Acts 19.14 sons of Sceva
Acts 8.9-11 Simon used sorcery, bewitched the people,
Deu 13.1-3 false prophets
Mat 7.22,23 Lord, in thy name have cast out devils, wonderful works, I never knew you
Mat 24.24 arise false Christs, and false prophets, shew great signs and wonders, deceive the elect
2 Th 2.9 lying wonders
Rev 13.11-15 doeth great wonders, deceiveth by miracles
Rev 19.20 the false prophet that wrought miracles
1 Tim 4.1 seducing spirits, doctrines of devils
Failure
That signs and wonders did not work very long
Exo 10.3 Thus saith the LORD, how long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me
Num 14.11 how long ere they believe me for all the signs
Deu 1.31-32 God bare thee as a man his son, yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD
Deu 29.3-4 great temptations ye saw, great miracles, yet not given a heart to perceive
Ps 78.22,32,41,42 they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works
Ps 106.24 they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word
Isa 28.10-13 with another tongue, yet they would not hear
John 10.38,39 believe the works, they sought to take him
John 12.37 though done so many miracles, yet they believed not on him