Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church

On occasion, I like to pass along an email from a friend who serves as the Director of Staff Training for the ministry of Search. Search is an evangelistic ministry that helps adults answer questions about God, and about how and why were designed and created. Through gatherings in people’s homes called “Open Forums,” Search helps people ask questions about God, religions, and most importantly about Jesus.

 

Here is one of Don’s recent emails that he entitles, “A Recent Conversation”

 

 

 

“Good question. There are some amazing things that still happen these days, but I understand your question.”

“Yes. Well, it helps me to understand the historical context. There are many huge miracles all bunched up together around that same time. Many happen within just a few weeks, for example the burning bush, and then in Egypt, the 10 plagues in a row…then the Red Sea parting, the manna and quail, the opening of the earth to swallow up Korah and his family. Then, 40 years later, the parting of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho’s walls. These miracles were given to validate God’s call of Moses as His prophet, and the leadership of Moses’ successor, Joshua. Why? Because God wanted to leave no doubt or question in people’s minds that He was revealing Himself and His plan through Moses. God was giving His people His Law, establishing them as a worshipping nation, and taking them to the Promised Land. Also, Moses was the author of the foundational books of the whole Bible: Genesis through Deuteronomy.”

“Yes. And those miracles—along with about 30 other miracles in the Gospels, and almost as many in the Book of Acts—are consistent with the same principle. When God speaks at a crucial moment, like the beginning of a new phase in redemptive history, He provides along with it …supernatural signs. Another way of putting it is that the supernatural message is validated by supernatural evidence. So, when Jesus comes with His words and work of redemption, ushering in the New Testament era, there are dramatic miracles. Jesus says: Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen Me do.”

“Right. Not that He doesn’t or can’t do that today, but it helps to know why so many miracles accompanied the ministry of Jesus. And while we’re at it, there is one more clump of big miracles in the Bible.”

“700 or so years after Moses, and 800 years before Jesus, about 30 miracles are recorded in the ministries of Elijah, and his successor Elisha. For instance, people are raised from the dead, fire comes down from heaven at Mt. Carmel—these things validated the period of the prophets of Israel. When Israel’s King Ahab had become particularly evil, even sacrificing children to false gods, God sent Elijah and gave evidence for His authority through this series of miraculous signs. It was necessary and in keeping with the love and mercy of God to warn the people of Israel and call them to repentance. So, we see three important junctures in redemptive history accompanied by clear divine validation, in the ministries of Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, and Jesus and His apostles. It is interesting that on the mountain where Jesus shines so brightly in glorious white light, Moses and Elijah are with Him. And…when Jesus referred to the Old Testament, He called it ‘The Law and the Prophets.’ When God spoke through the words of Moses and the prophets, and especially through Jesus, He gave evidence that it was He that was speaking by doing things that only He could do: dramatic and unmistakable miracles.”

Scriptural Foundation 
John 20: 30-31 – The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

Heb. 1:1-2a – Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

Heb. 2:3-4 – So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.