464 – The Public Miracles of Jesus

SEMESTER 4

464 – The Public Miracles of Jesus

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY IV LESSON # 64
THE PUBLIC MIRACLES OF JESUS

Read Mk. 2:1-12, Jn. 2:1-11 and Jn. 21:25.

INTRODUCTION:

1. One of the great evidences of Jesus’ deity is His public miracles.
2. He showed Himself to be God’s Son, as well as the eternal sovereign.

Illustration: The apostles marveled that even the elements were subject to Him. (Mat. 8:23-27)

3. This sovereignty is displayed in what He did not do, as well as what He did. (Mat. 11:20-27)
4. We know all His miracles were not recorded, (Jn. 21:25) but thirty-five were. Let us consider them.

I. THE NATURE OF THE PUBLIC MIRACLES OF JESUS

1. Three of His miracles were acts of indirect creation.
2. Six of His miracles demonstrated absolute control over what we normally call nature.
3. At least twenty of His miracles demonstrated total power over sickness and disease.
4. Five of His miracles were related to His power over principali­ties (angelic beings).
5. Three of His miracles were acts of raising people from the dead.
6. Some of them would cover more than one of the above catego­ries.

II. BIBLE STATISTICS CONCERNING THE RECORDS OF JESUS’ MIRACLES

(Notice the accompanying chart listing all of the recorded miracles.)

1. Only one miracle is recorded in all four of the gospels, twelve are recorded in three of the four, nine are recorded in only two, and thirteen are recorded by only one gospel writer.
2. Matthew and Mark each record twenty-one miracles, Luke records twenty, and John only eight.
3. Some very ignorant critics have tried to point out contradiction within these records, but their efforts only betray their simplici­ty.
4. The miracles were so complex and numerous that even statisti­cal review, by natural men, is difficult.

III. CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST’S MIRACLES

1. There are many divisions but basic philosophies are only two.

i. God’s purpose is indiscriminate, but His ability is dependent upon our faith and/or cooperation.
ii. All activities, including circumstances which facilitate, are strictly within and according to sovereign design.

2. Scripture will quickly and easily settle this issue. (Mk. 1:40, Lk. 4:23-29, Mat. 11:20-27)

IV. RELATIVE FACTS ABOUT THESE MIRACLES

1. Absolutely nothing is beyond the power of Christ, regardless of unbelief. (Gen. 18:13-14, Mk. 1:40, Jn. 11:43-44)
2. Jesus performed and performs His miracles where and only where He pleases. (Mat. 11:21)
3. He knew, and knows, all possible results of His miracles. (Mat. 11:21)
4. He was often pleased to bless faith with miracles. (Mat. 9:1-2, Mat. 9:22-25, Mat. 9:27-29)
5. His performance was not dependent upon faith or expectancy. (Jn. 5:1-9)
6. Believers were frequently strengthened by miracles. (Lk. 8:22-25)
7. Unbelievers are not converted by the witnessing of miracles. (Lk. 16:27-31, Jn. 10:22-26)