A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day June 21, 2019
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mark 16:17)
When you start talking about signs and wonders you start getting a lot of blow-back. Many Christian denominations believe that signs and wonders passed away when all the Apostles died. Is that true based on the Word of God? Let’s take a few minutes to explore what the Bible says about this issue.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)
For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” (Acts 2:39)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:7-12)
But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love]. (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Signs and wonders (the gifts of the Spirit) are for the Body of Christ (the Church). The Church has not passed away so we still need the gifts of the Spirit. People are still sick and they need healing. People are still demon possessed and they need deliverance. People are still lost and they need to be saved. The greatest sign and wonder of all is when a person is saved and their heart and life is changed forever. We still need that.
The Apostle Paul defined the importance of signs and wonders like this: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (1 Corinthians 2:4) Men (even highly educated religious men) can entice you with words. They can twist words and be very emotionally convincing. But when you see and experience a demonstration of His power you will never forget it. When you see a person healed you will never forget it. When you see a person saved and their entire family changed you will never forget it. We still need signs and wonders and they have not passed away.
