What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 7 / No. 23”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. VII - No. 23 April 13, 2025
DO MEN HAVE THE POWER FROM GOD TO PERFORM MIRACLES?
There are many people who believe and teach that people today receive from God and exercise miraculous power as the apostles (and some upon whom the apostles laid their hands-Acts 8:18) did in the first century. QUESTION: Is there any Scriptural proof that anyone today receives miraculous power from God as some did in the first century?
Holy Spirit baptism and other gifts of the Holy Spirit along with signs, wonders, and divers miracles were necessary in the first century for the revelation and confirmation of the Word of God unto man. (Read carefully John 14:25-26; 16:13; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20). Once the Word of God was completely revealed to inspired men, confirmed and given to the world in written form, there would be no further need of miracle working power in the church! The apostle Paul declared: "...though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto." (Galatians 3:15). NOTE: By the close of the first century God's Word had been completely revealed, confirmed, and given in written form. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 John 9; Revelation 22:18-19, and Jude 3). In James 1:25 we read: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." It is obvious from this passage that we have a perfect law of liberty! No more revelation is needed!
These additional observations may help clarify the truth.
1. When the need for the revelation and confirmation of God's Word ceased because it was fulfilled, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and other gifts of the Holy Spirit that were needed to accomplish the revelation and confirmation of the Word of God ceased! NOTE: Cornelius (and others) received Holy Spirit baptism to assure the Gentiles and convince the Jews that God had to the Gentiles granted "repentance unto life". (See Acts 10 and 11). This was a one time event that did not need to be repeated.
2. After the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost in Acts 2 there is no evidence that the apostles (or those on whom they laid their hands) ever tried to perform a miracle and failed! (Acts 5:16). NOTE: The apostles had been told that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost came upon them. (Acts 1:8). Obviously they did receive power! They could even raise the dead! (Peter in Acts 9:36-42 and Paul in Acts 20:7-12).
3. The fact that Jesus Christ performed miracles in the first century is no proof that He is doing the same thing today. Although Jesus is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" as Hebrews 13:8 says is no proof that He is now performing miracles as He did in the first century. Consider the following:
A. Although Jesus Christ is the same He is NOT creating the earth and all things therein as He once did! (See Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-2; Revelation 3:14).
B. Although Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, He is not turning water into wine, or miraculously multiplying a few loaves and a few fishes, or raising the dead as He did in the first century (John 2:1-11; Matthew 14:15-21; John 11:30-46)
C. Neither is Jesus Christ NOW personally walking on the shores of Galilee nor dying on the cross NOW as He once did! No!
Men today do not have power from God to perform miracles as some had in the first century! —Carroll R. Sutton
CONVERSION
Conversion means turning or changing. We convert water to ice, a log to lumber, and wood to paper. From such examples we can understand what conversion means - it is a changing process wherein something is changed from one form into another. While the end result is the goal, the process is essential in order for the end result to be an achieved.
Conversion is also a Bible word and is used primarily of converting a sinner to a Christian; from a lost condition to a saved condition. While this is the end result, the process by which conversion is done is absolutely essential. The process is necessary in order for the full conversion to take place. The conversion of a sinner to a Christian demands a complete change that includes three areas: (1) A change of mind (heart) which is accomplished by the teaching of God's word. (2) A change of conduct. A change of heart must lead to a change in the way we live. In the Scriptures this is called "repentance". (3) A change in relationship. As in all conversions, there is a final act that makes the conversion complete. So it is in becoming a Christian. The final act that transfers one from the world and puts them into Christ is baptism. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27). "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3).
Conversion begins with the preaching and teaching of God's word and ends with baptism. It is from the waters of baptism that we rise to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). If we are to be converted like those we read about in the New Testament, specifically those recorded in the book of Acts, we must examine their conversion and do no more nor no less than they did. When we add up the totality of what the New Testament reveals about the conversions, we can have the complete picture of what we need to do to be converted from a sinner to a Christian; from one who is in sin and lost to one who's sins are forgiven and is a child of God.
Study carefully each conversion. Read the scriptures again and again to notice what was done. This will reveal the process by which conversion took place. Certainly there will be things that are incidental from one case to another but, particularly, note the similarities in each example.
Surely we can see that our conversion to God depends upon our hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized. Our change must be of heart, life, and relationship. Men may, and often do, present other rules of conversion but such are not from God and will not reconcile man to God. "There is a way which seemeth right unto man; But the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). God has given the process. Let us be content with accepting, obeying, and teaching only that which God has revealed.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
