God’s purpose for signs, miracles, and wonders is to strengthen believers, demonstrate God’s mercy and power, and lead people to faith. A few years ago, we took a mission trip to the mountains of Honduras and had a small crusade in some of the towns there. About 100 people gathered in the city square in one town to listen to Christian music.
Later, our speaker came and talked about the good news of Jesus. During his message, he sensed a young man had been injured in an accident, and the Lord wanted to heal him. Reluctantly, a young man who had no use of one arm after a motorcycle accident came forward. After a time of prayer, The Lord healed his arm. He smiled as he thrust his arm up and down in the air. It wasn’t long before he placed his faith in Jesus as His Savior, along with several others. The people had seen the power of God in their midst. The miracle pointed to the truth of God’s word.
Stephen was Full of God’s Grace
In the book of Acts, God used Stephen to point to Him. Acts 6:8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.[1]
How does Luke, the author of Acts, inspired by the Holy Spirit, describe Stephen? He was full of God’s grace. God’s grace is His undeserved love. This kind of love poured out of Stephen as he ministered to the people. He was not only filled with God’s grace but also power. God was working through Stephen in a very miraculous way. It was not Stephen’s power, but God’s power manifesting through him as Stephen performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. Just as the Lord worked through Stephen, He wants to fill believers with the Holy Spirit and work through them.
The Purpose of God’s Miracles
What was the purpose of these miracles and signs among the people? The miracles and signs confirmed the word of God, assuring people it was true. As Jesus ministered and today, people walk away after seeing signs, miracles, and wonders because their hearts are hard. But others will see or hear about the signs and miracles and come to know Jesus as their Savior. In addition, signs and miracles encourage and minister to those who are already believers. Essentially, signs, miracles, and wonders bring light into the darkness.
What about today? God is giving us signs and performing miracles all around us, and we often don’t realize it. A person comes to faith, and their life dramatically changes. This is the miracle of going from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. God demonstrates His power as He answers prayers. God shows His power as people have peace amid a health crisis when they know they will not get better. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to help you see all He is doing around you.
What is God’s purpose in signs, miracles, and wonders? To learn, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/light-in-persecution
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 6:8). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.