2. Introduction Many people believe that miracles are happening every day (babies born, saved from injury or death by unexplainable means, healed from cancer, incurable disease, terminal illness, etc). Those who are poor, uneducated, or desperate for a cure for what ails them will seek out “faith healers” to get well. In this study this morning, we want to contrast the true Bible miracles using the acronym for SIGNS with the false miracles of man.

3. Bible Miracles were Supernatural The ISBE says a miracle is "an extraordinary work of God.... transcending the ordinary powers of Nature, wrought in connection with the ends of revelation" (Vol. III, p. 2062). The magicians in Egypt admitted that the plagues were from the “finger of God” (Ex. 8:19; 7:3ff). Jesus made the mute speak, the lame walk, the cripple whole, and the blind see Jesus made the mute speak, the lame walk, the cripple whole, and the blind see (Mt. 15:30). While people could test these Bible miracles by their senses (ears, eyes, or touch) to see if it is true, you cannot test “faith healers” by your senses.

4. Bible Miracles were Instantaneous and Irrefutable The multitudes witnessed Jesus and the apostles healing people they knew immediately. (John 11:44-45; 12:17-18; Acts 3:6-10) Even the enemies of Jesus could not deny the miracles (John 11:47ff; Acts 4:16). “Faith healers” today may pronounce people healed immediately without proof but they are not like the irrefutable miracles recorded in the New Testament.

5. Bible Miracles were Genuine Simon the sorcerer had deceived the Samaritans for a long time as they were calling him the great power of God (Acts 8:9-11). But he saw the evidence of the true miracles and acted on his conviction to change his beliefs (Acts 8:13). Many “faith healers” today show that they are frauds because they will pass around a plate to collect money for their healing (1 Ti. 6:3-5) which did not happen in the Bible.

6. Miracles Did Not Always Depend on People’s Faith Sometimes it did depend on their faith but many times it didn’t (the dead cannot have faith). While “faith healers” may blame the person’s lack of faith when they fail, in the Bible it was the faith of the healer that was important. (Matthew 17:14-21) Jesus never failed to heal anyone (Matt. 4:23-24) while “faith healers” will admit that the person isn’t always cured and will not attempt raising the dead.

7. Miracles Were Done in order to Save Souls Miracles are recorded in the Bible so that we might believe Jesus is the Christ and have eternal life (John 20:24-31); the Bible would not be needed if there are miracles today. Jesus rebuked the places where he did miracles because they didn’t repent (Matt. 11:20ff; 2 Pet. 3:9). The purpose of miracles was that men would believe, repent, and be baptized to have their sins forgiven (Acts 2:21-24, 36-38, 41), not be healed physically to give their testimony.

8. Conclusion Bible miracles were Supernatural which could be tested by the hearers unlike “faith healers.” Bible miracles were Instantaneous & Irrefutable, while faith healers works are not. Bible miracles were Genuine as evidenced by Simon’s conviction to believe and be baptized. Bible miracles did Not always depend on people’s faith while faith healers generally blame them for their lack of faith. Bible miracles were done in order to Save Souls while faith healers deceive those who perish (2 Thess. 2:9-12)

9. Conclusion I believe the Bible teaches divine healing but not miraculous healing today (James 5:16). But how many children have died because the parents denied them medical treatment because they falsely believed that their child was going to be well after hearing a “faith healer” say that they had been healed or went to a church that believed that? How many people believe that the “faith healer” was a man of God and since they didn’t get healed and saw him getting rich, they decided never to listen to God’s word again?

10. Conclusion Jesus said concerning the Judgment Day, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Matthew 7:22-23)