The topic of whether God still performs miracles today is an important one for Christians to understand. The Bible contains many examples of miracles performed by God in biblical times, but what about today? Does God still supernaturally intervene in the world in miraculous ways?
To begin, it’s important to have a biblical definition of a miracle. Theologian Wayne Grudem defines a miracle as “a less common kind of God’s activity in which he arouses people’s awe and wonder and bears witness to himself.” In the Bible, miracles often accompanied new periods of revelation or significantly advanced God’s kingdom in some way. While God providentially sustains the universe He created, miracles are extraordinary events that go beyond the normal laws of nature.
That being said, the Bible indicates that the primary periods of miracles were during Moses’ leadership, during the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, and during the early church. The miracles validated the authority of God’s messengers who were speaking divine truth during key times in redemptive history. As theologian B.B. Warfield said, “When God had a voice to speak, He never lacked a hand to write.”
However, since the time of the apostles, reports of miracles are much less frequent and less verified. Miraculous gifts of the Spirit, like speaking in tongues and prophecy, also began to fade away during this time. Why is this? Some theologians believe therec was an “authentication” purpose for miracles tied to revealing new Scripture. Miracles like healing and casting out demons authenticated the gospel message, since people could see visible proof of God’s power. But as the gospel spread and the Scriptures were completed, the need for such authentication decreased.
Nonetheless, God still hears and answers prayer according to His will. Even today, there are many accounts of miracles and God seems to be especially active in answering bold prayers for healing in overseas missions. However, in the West, true medical miracles with doctor verification are relatively rare. God most often works through natural means and sustained processes, rather than supernatural interventions. Though sovereign, He generally lets the universe operate with natural order most of the time.
Ultimately, the question is whether God is able to perform miracles today. As stated in Jeremiah 32:27, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” God never loses His divine power. However, in His wisdom, He decides when and where miracles are needed to accomplish His divine purposes. While we cannot limit God by saying miracles never occur, neither should we expect miracles to be an everyday experience.
In summary, God is certainly able to perform miracles according to His will and for His glory. Miracles still occur, especially in areas where the gospel is spreading rapidly. However, miracles are less common today than in biblical times. Whether God performs miracles or not, Christians can trust His wisdom and sovereignty, knowing He works out all things for our good in conformity to His will.
Now let’s explore some key biblical passages in more detail…
The Purpose of Miracles in the Bible
In the Bible, miracles often accompanied new periods of revelation, either Old Testament prophets or New Testament apostles. Miracles validated these individuals as speaking divine truth from God. For example:
- Moses performed miracles before Pharaoh to validate his role in leading Israel out of slavery (Exodus 7-12).
- Elijah performed miracles before prophets of Baal to prove God’s superiority over false gods (1 Kings 18).
- Jesus performed extensive miracles to demonstrate He was the Messiah who ushered in the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23-25).
- The apostles performed miracles to add credibility to their testimony of the risen Christ (Acts 2:43, Acts 5:12).
In the Gospels and Acts, miracles also authenticate the arrival of the kingdom of God through Christ. They demonstrate His power over every realm – spiritual, physical, natural – as the divine Son of God. As theologian Donald Carson says, Jesus’ miracles “function to point to the dawning of the kingdom, the defeat of Satan, the release of divine power.”
Additionally, miracles express God’s mercy and grace. Physical and emotional healings show God’s compassion for hurting people. Miracles in the Bible are never magic tricks just to impress people. They have instructive value in revealing God’s character and purposes.
The Decline of Miracles in the Early Church
While miracles were common during Jesus’ earthly ministry and the early church, reports of miracles decline significantly after the ministries of the apostles. Why is this? Several factors likely contributed to the decrease in miracles after the end of the apostolic age:
- With the gospel spreading rapidly after Christ’s resurrection, miracles served to validate the message of these new apostolic witnesses (Acts 5:12-16). As Christianity became established worldwide, the need for such authentication decreased.
- The apostles were directly commissioned by Christ to do miraculous works that established them as leaders of the early church (2 Corinthians 12:12). With their passing, so did the authenticating signs of miracles.
- With the full revelation of Scripture completed by the end of the 1st century AD, the need for miraculous “signs and wonders” to confirm new divine revelation had ceased.
This is not to say God cannot or does not perform miracles today. However, it does suggest a principle that miracles were closely tied to the eyewitnesses teaching the authoritative, apostolic message that became the New Testament. Scholars like B.B. Warfield have called this the “authentiating” purpose of miracles for new Scripture.
In church history after the apostles, verified accounts of miracles become more sporadic. Though some of the church fathers claimed miracles, these reports are questionable compared to biblical miracles. The Protestant Reformation saw an increased emphasis on the all-sufficiency of Scripture over any new revelations or miracles.
So in summary, while miracles continue today especially in parts of the world where the gospel is spreading rapidly, the proliferation of miracles has significantly decreased since biblical times when new revelation was being given.
Cessationism vs. Continuationism
Given the decline of miracles over time, theologians have wrestled with the question of whether the “sign gifts” like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing have ceased (cessationism) or should continue in the church today (continuationism).
Cessationists believe the revelatory and miraculous sign gifts ended with the apostolic age, as they were no longer needed to authenticate the gospel. God still heals and works in miraculous ways today, but not through individuals with the spiritual gifts of tongues and healing.
In contrast, continuationists argue that while the apostolic office ended, the sign gifts such as prophecy and speaking in tongues continue today. God desires to actively use miraculous spiritual gifts whenever believers pray in faith to glorify Christ and edify His church.
While sincere, godly Christians hold both views, the difference lies in whether believers should expect the same miraculous workings of the Spirit as regularly seen in the early church. In any case, Christians agree that God works in mysterious ways, performing miracles today whenever and however He wills for His glory.
Principles for Discerning Modern-Day Miracles
Given various reports of miracles today, how can Christians wisely discern which are valid? Several biblical principles can provide guidance when evaluating miracle claims in the modern church:
- Match the Word – Does the miracle align with Scripture or contradict God’s revealed Word? (Isaiah 8:20)
- Confirm the Fruit – Does this display the fruit of the Spirit or characteristics of God? (Matthew 7:15-23)
- Consider Motives – Does this miracle point people to Christ or the “miracle worker?” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
- Test Carefully – Does this line up with facts or exaggerate with embellished details? (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22)
When hearing miracle reports, Christians should have a balance between trusting God’s supernatural power while using wisdom in discernment. The Bereans were commended for examining even the apostles’ teaching carefully (Acts 17:11), and we must do the same. Elevating miracles too highly can lead to deception and removed focus from the gospel.
Examples of Miracles in Recent Church History
With the understanding that verified modern-day miracles are relatively rare, especially in the Western church, there are some notable examples in recent centuries that many Christians believe to be genuine supernatural acts of God:
- Hebrides Revival (1940s-1950s) – During a revival in Scotland’s Hebrides islands, multiple reports exist of prayers miraculously answered, including healing of sickness and a storm instantly ceasing.
- Reinhard Bonnke Healings – German evangelist Reinhard Bonnke claims over 1 million healings performed during open-air crusades in Africa from the 1960s to 2000s.
- Mozambique Revival (1990s) – During an East African revival, Heidi Baker reported blind eyes and deaf ears opening, paralysis being healed, and nearly 50 people raised from the dead.
While recognizing God’s unlimited power, Christians should carefully examine the evidence and fruit of such miracle claims, not quickly swallowing every sensational report. Modern miracles also generally seem clustered in seasons of spiritual awakening, such as during historic revivals.
A Biblical View of Miracles Today
A biblical view of miracles today avoids two opposite extremes – complete cessationism or seeing miracles in every life event. Biblically, we can make several summary statements:
- God is omnipotent and can perform miracles according to His will, in response to prayer and for His glory (Luke 1:37, James 5:13-18).
- Miracles are relatively less common today compared to periods of new biblical revelation.
- Reports of miracles should be examined carefully and discerningly based on biblical criteria.
- While miraculous gifts continue in some capacity, their prevalence and authority is less than during the time of the apostles.
- Whether God chooses to work a miracle or not, Christians trust His perfect wisdom and sovereignty in fulfilling His purposes.
The key is striking a balance between faith in God’s unlimited power and His choice to primarily work through ordinary means. As theologian R.C. Sproul said, we should pray boldly and trust God fully without putting Him in a box. At the same time, we must listen to His revealed Word over seeking new revelation or relying on miracles as the foundation of our faith.
In all things, a miracle should point people to the greatest miracle – salvation through Jesus. Our focus should not be seeking miracles themselves, but growing closer to the miraculous God.
Miracles in the Lives of Everyday Christians
While extraordinary miracles captured in news headlines are rare, God actively works in miraculous ways in the everyday lives of Christians who seek Him. Miracles generally may not contradict natural laws or be empirically verifiable, but are no less supernatural in origin.
Examples of God’s miraculous workings today include:
- Healings in response to prayer that doctors cannot medically explain.
- Provision of critical resources that arrive at just the right time.
- Protection from harm in dangerous situations beyond all odds.
- Deep inner peace and strength to endure impossible trials.
- Unity and restoration in broken relationships – humanly impossible.
These “small miracles” point to God’s active involvement in directing providential details and answering specific requests. Christians affirm that God can work the extraordinary, but also believe the seemingly mundane events of life are traced back to His supernatural intervention.
Conclusion – God Works However He Wills
In conclusion, while the most authoritative and extensive miracles accompanied the giving of divine revelation in Scripture, God still remains all-powerful. While miracles today don’t carry the same authority as in biblical times, God continues working in miraculous ways according to His will. No disease is too great for His healing. No broken relationship impossible for His restoration. No trial beyond His comfort and sustaining grace.
Christians can boldly ask God for miracles, while submitting to His perfect will. Miracles remind us that our daily lives are in the hands of the all-powerful Creator. Though God usually works through regular patterns, at times He manifests His might and sovereignty in extraordinary ways that glorify His Name alone.
Whether through miracles or everyday providence, God calls believers to trust in His perfect plan. He works out all things – including suffering, confusion, opposition – for good, shaping us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29). The greatest miracle of all is the inward transformation He works in redeemed sinners to live for His glory.