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◄ Miracles►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature
Miracles are extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in the natural order. They are acts of God that transcend human understanding and the laws of nature, serving as signs of His power and authority. In the biblical context, miracles are often performed to authenticate God's messengers and to reveal His glory and purpose.

Old Testament Miracles
The Old Testament is replete with miraculous events that demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation. One of the earliest recorded miracles is the parting of the Red Sea, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 14:21-22: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."). Other notable miracles include the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-5), the stopping of the sun and moon in the battle of Gibeon (Joshua 10:12-14), and the miraculous healing of Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:14).

New Testament Miracles
The New Testament records numerous miracles performed by Jesus Christ, which serve as a testament to His divine nature and messianic mission. Jesus' miracles include healing the sick, raising the dead, and controlling nature. For instance, He healed a man born blind (John 9:6-7: "When He had said this, He spat on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, 'Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing."), and He calmed a storm with a command (Mark 4:39: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm."). The resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:43-44) and Jesus' own resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6) are central miracles that underscore His victory over death and sin.

Purpose of Miracles
Miracles in the Bible serve several purposes. They confirm the message and authority of God's prophets and apostles (Hebrews 2:3-4: "This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will."). They also reveal God's compassion and care for His people, as seen in Jesus' healing miracles. Furthermore, miracles are signs that point to the coming of God's kingdom and the ultimate restoration of creation.

Miracles in the Early Church
The Acts of the Apostles documents the continuation of miraculous works through the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The apostles performed signs and wonders, such as the healing of a lame man by Peter and John (Acts 3:6-8: "But Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!' Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He sprang to his feet and began to walk."). These miracles served to spread the gospel and establish the church.

Theological Significance
Miracles are a testament to God's omnipotence and His active involvement in the world. They challenge believers to trust in God's power and to recognize His presence in their lives. While miracles are extraordinary, they point to the greater reality of God's ongoing work in creation and His ultimate plan for redemption.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Miracles

A miracle may be defined to be a plain and manifest exercise by a man, or by God at the call of a man, of those powers which belong only to the Creator and Lord of nature; and this for the declared object of attesting that a divine mission is given to that man. It is not, therefore, thewonder , the exception to common experience, that constitutes themiracle , as is assumed both in the popular use of the word and by most objectors against miracles. No phenomenon in nature, however unusual, no event in the course of God's providence, however unexpected, is a miracle unless it can be traced to the agency of man (including prayer under the term agency), and unless it be put forth as a proof of divine mission. Prodigies and special providences are not miracles. (A miracle is not aviolation of the laws of nature. It is God's acting upon nature in a degree far beyond our powers, but the same king of act as our wills are continually exerting upon nature. We do not in lifting a stone interfere with any law of nature, but exert a higher force among the laws. Prof. Tyndall says that "science does assert that without a disturbance of natural law quite as serious as the stoppage of an eclipse, or the rolling of the St. Lawrence up the falls of Niagara, no act of humiliation, individual or nation, could call one shower from heaven." And yet men by firing cannon during battle can cause a shower: does that cause such a commotion among the laws of nature? The exertion of awill upon the laws does not make a disturbance of natural law; and a miracle is simply the exertion of God's will upon nature. --ED.) Again, the term "nature" suggests to many persons the idea of a great system of things endowed with powers and forces of its own --a sort of machine, set a-going originally by a first cause, but continuing its motionsof itself. Hence we are apt to imagine that a change in the motion or operation of any part of it by God would produce the same disturbance of the other parts as such a change would be likely to produce in them if made by us or by any other natural agent. But if the motions and operations of material things be produced really by the divine will, then his choosing to change, for a special purpose, the ordinary motion of one part does not necessarily or probably imply his choosing to change the ordinary motions of other parts in a way not at all requisite for the accomplishment of that special purpose. It is as easy for him to continue the ordinary course of the rest, with the change of one part, as of all the phenomena without any change at all. Thus, though the stoppage of the motion of the earth in the ordinary course of nature would be attended with terrible convulsions, the stoppage of the earthmiraculously , for a special purpose to be served bythat only , would not of itself be followed by any such consequences. (Indeed, by the action of gravitation it could be stopped, as a stone thrown up is stopped, in less than two minutes, and yet so gently as not to stir the smallest feather or mote on its surface. --ED.) From the same conception of nature as a machine, we are apt to think of interferences with the ordinary course of nature as implying some imperfection in it. But it is manifest that this is a false analogy; for the reason why machines are made is to save us trouble; and, therefore, they are more perfect in proportion as they answer this purpose. But no one can seriously imagine that the universe is a machine for the purpose of saving trouble to the Almighty. Again, when miracles are described as "interferences with the law of nature," this description makes them appear improbable to many minds, from their not sufficiently considering that the laws of nature interfere with one another, and that we cannot get rid of "interferences" upon any hypothesis consistent with experience. The circumstances of the Christian miracles are utterly unlike those of any pretended instances of magical wonders. This difference consists in -- (1) The greatness, number, completeness and publicity of the miracles. (2) In the character of the miracles. They were all beneficial, helpful, instructive, and worthy of God as their author. (3) The natural beneficial tendency of the doctrine they attested. (4) The connection of them with a whole scheme of revelation extending from the origin of the human race to the time of Christ.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MIRACLES, GIFT OF

SeeSPIRITUAL GIFTS;MIRACLE.

Greek

1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... Definition (miraculous) power, might, strength NASB Word Usage ability (4), meaning
(1), mightily (1), mighty (1), miracle (2),miracles (17), miraculous...

1114. goes -- a wailer, a sorcerer, a swindler
... a whining enchanter. This person uses their verbal spells and incantations
to give the (false) they can domiracles. Word Origin...

484. antilempsis -- a laying hold of, help
... See 482 (). 1 Cor 12:28: "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, thenmiracles, then gifts of healings, (484...

Strong's Hebrew

6381. pala -- to be surpassing or extraordinary
... a special (3), made his wonderful (1), made marvelous (1), makes a difficult (1),
makes a special (1), marvelous (1), marvelously (1),miracles (5), monstrous...

4159. mopheth -- a wonder, sign, portent
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a wonder, sign, portent NASB Word Usage
marvel (1), marvels (3), miracle (1),miracles (1), sign (8), symbol (1...

Library

Miracles
... 4.MIRACLES. An illustrious evidence of the same divinity is afforded in
themiracles, which God has performed by the stewards of...

Miracles and Supernatural Religion
Miracles and Supernatural Religion. <.Miracles and Supernatural
Religion James Morris Whiton. Produced by Bryan Ness...

Miracles of Our Lord
Miracles of Our Lord. <.Miracles of Our Lord George MacDonald.
Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Graham Smith and Distributed...

Miracles of Healing
...MIRACLES OF HEALING. 'Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame...

Miracles
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 1:23MIRACLES.... But it
has nothing to say against the doctrine of themiracles of Jesus....

Miracles.
... CHAPTER XVI.MIRACLES.... As tomiracles, they were regarded at this period as the
indispensable mark of the divine, and as the sign of the prophetic vocation....

TheMiracles of Jesus
TheMiracles of Jesus. <. TheMiracles of Jesus Karl Beth. Table
of Contents. Title Page. I OUR TASK. II WHAT JESUS SAYS...

TheMiracles
... PENS??ES SECTION XIII: THEMIRACLES. 803. The beginning."Miracles enable us to
judge of doctrine, and doctrine enables us to judge ofmiracles....

Christ Teaching byMiracles
... CHRIST TEACHING BYMIRACLES. We have seen... He was daily performingmiracles,
and doing many mighty and wonderful works. And the prophets...

All theMiracles of Richard:
... HERE BEGIN THEMIRACLES OF THE BLESSED HERMIT RICHARD. ALL THEMIRACLES OF RICHARD.
Preserved Roger from accident while engaged in building the saint's tomb....

Thesaurus

Miracles (65 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaMIRACLES, GIFT OF.... Multi-Version Concordance
Miracles (65 Occurrences). Matthew 7:22 Many will tell...

Marvels (21 Occurrences)
... Marvels (21 Occurrences). John 4:48 "Unless you and others seemiracles and marvels,"
said Jesus, "nothing will induce you to believe." (WEY)....

Miraculous (54 Occurrences)
... them. (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 1:22 Seeing that Jews demandmiracles, and
Greeks go in search of wisdom, (See NIV). 1 Corinthians...

Performing (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 6:2 A vast multitude followed Him, because they witnessed themiracles
on the sick which He was constantly performing. (WEY NAS)....

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)
... any rate, the Gospel writers do not seem to regard a resurrection from the dead
by the power of Jesus as so much more stupendous than othermiracles, as they...

Divers (36 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working ofmiracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another...

Perform (155 Occurrences)
... asked. "What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And what are these
marvellousmiracles which his hands perform? (WEY NAS)....

Wrought (186 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 8:13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued
with Philip; and beholding signs and greatmiracles wrought, he was amazed....

Performed (110 Occurrences)
... For had themiracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been performed
in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes....

Miracle (15 Occurrences)
... "The suspension or violation of the laws of nature involved inmiracles
is nothing more than is constantly taking place around us....

Resources

What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance •Bible Dictionary •Bible Encyclopedia •Topical Bible •Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Miracles (65 Occurrences)

Matthew 7:22
Many will tell me in that day,'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?'
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 11:20
Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't repent.
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 11:21
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 11:23
You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day.
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 13:58
He didn't do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 24:24
For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
(See NIV)

Mark 6:2
On the Sabbath He proceeded to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they heard Him, were astonished. "Where did he acquire all this?" they asked. "What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And what are these marvellousmiracles which his hands perform?
(WEY NAS NIV)

Mark 13:22
For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
(See NIV)

Luke 10:13
"Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had themiracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been performed in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Luke 19:37
As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen,
(See NAS NIV)

John 2:11
This beginning ofmiracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw themiracles which he did.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do thesemiracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 4:48
"Unless you and others seemiracles and marvels," said Jesus, "nothing will induce you to believe."
(WEY)

John 6:2
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw hismiracles which he did on them that were diseased.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 6:26
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw themiracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 7:3
So His brothers said to Him, "Leave these parts and go into Judaea, that not only we but your disciples also may witness themiracles which you perform.
(WEY NIV)

John 7:31
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do moremiracles than these which this man hath done?
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 9:16
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do suchmiracles? And there was a division among them.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 10:25
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.
(See NIV)

John 10:32
Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"
(See NIV)

John 10:38
But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
(See NIV)

John 11:47
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth manymiracles.
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 12:37
But though he had done so manymiracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
(KJV WEY WBS)

John 14:11
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake.
(See NIV)

John 15:24
If I had not done among them, as I have, suchmiracles as no one else ever did, they would have had no sin; but they have in fact seen and also hated both me and my Father.
(WEY NIV)

Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you bymiracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
(KJV WEY WBS NAS NIV)

Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders andmiracles among the people.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 8:6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing themiracles which he did.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 8:13
Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and greatmiracles occurring, he was amazed.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring whatmiracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 19:11
God worked specialmiracles by the hands of Paul,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:22
Seeing that Jews demandmiracles, and Greeks go in search of wisdom,
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings ofmiracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after thatmiracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:29
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers ofmiracles?
(KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
(See NAS NIV)

Galatians 3:5
He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and worksmiracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Thessalonians 2:9
The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by variousmiracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works--
(WEY NIV)

Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diversmiracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
(KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 13:13
He also works greatmiracles, so as even to make fire come down from Heaven to earth in the presence of human beings.
(WEY)

Revelation 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of thosemiracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(KJV WBS)

Revelation 16:14
For they are the spirits of devils, workingmiracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
(KJV WBS)

Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wroughtmiracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
(KJV WEY WBS)

Exodus 3:20
I will put forth my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in its midst, and after that he will let you go.
(See NAS)

Exodus 4:21
Yahweh said to Moses, "When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go.
(See RSV)

Exodus 34:10
He said, "Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which you are shall see the work of Yahweh; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you.
(See NAS)

Numbers 14:22
Because all those men which have seen my glory, and mymiracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
(KJV WBS)

Deuteronomy 11:3
And hismiracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land;
(KJV WBS)

Deuteronomy 29:3
The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those greatmiracles:
(KJV WBS)

Judges 6:13
And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all hismiracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
(KJV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember his wondrous works which he hath done; Hismiracles, and the judgments of his mouth:
(DBY NIV)

Nehemiah 9:17
and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
(See NIV)

Job 5:9
who does great things that can't be fathomed, marvelous things without number;
(See NIV)

Job 9:10
He does great things past finding out; yes, marvelous things without number.
(See NIV)

Psalms 77:11
I will remember Yah's deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.
(See NIV)

Psalms 77:14
You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.
(See NIV)

Psalms 78:11
They forgot his doings, his wondrous works that he had shown them.
(See NAS RSV)

Psalms 78:43
How he set his signs in Egypt, and hismiracles in the field of Zoan;
(DBY RSV)

Psalms 105:5
Remember his wondrous works which he hath done, hismiracles and the judgments of his mouth:
(DBY RSV NIV)

Psalms 105:27
They performedmiracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
(WEB DBY NAS RSV)

Psalms 106:7
Our fathers didn't understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn't remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
(See NIV)

Psalms 135:9
Who sent signs andmiracles into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants;
(DBY)

Micah 7:15
"As in the days of your coming forth out of the land of Egypt, I will show them marvelous things."
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Miracles

Miracles in the Name of Christ

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Cleanses the Leper

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Condemns a Fig Tree

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Cures a Man With Dropsy

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Cures the Woman With the Issue of Blood

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Feeds More than Four-Thousand People

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Healing of the Immobile Man

Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Heals a Demoniac