SEMESTER 5
480 – The Apostolic Miracles of the New Testament
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY V LESSON # 80
APOSTOLIC MIRACLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Read Mat. 10:1
, Lk. 9:1-2; 10:1-9; 10:17, Acts 3:1-26; 4:5-12; 5:12-16 and Mk. 16:14-20.
INTRODUCTION:
1. In a previous lesson I listed in an organized order the New Testament miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Before He ascended, He promised His faithful apostolic witness miracles as an evidence of His presence with them. (Mk. 16:14-20)
3. In this lesson we will seek to review those miracles in a biblical light, and from the perspective of the acts of the Apostles.
I. THE PURPOSE OF APOSTOLIC MIRACLES
1. They were signs to corroborate the claim that these men were God’s witnesses. (Mk. 16:20)
2. This was never to glorify the men, but to manifest the power of Christ and the fact that God’s fullness dwelt in Him. (Acts 3:12-15)
3. Be reminded these miracles were never for the face value of the miracle itself, that is healing was not for its own mere benefit.
II. THE PARTICIPANTS IN APOSTOLIC MIRACLES
1. The “generalizing” of the gift of miracles is totally unbiblical. (I Cor. 12:28-30)
2. Scripture reveals that certain men received these gifts directly from Christ. (Matt. 10:1-8, Lk. 10:1-18, Acts 15:12, Acts 19:11)
3. Many of the other seventy who were endued with these powers were among the 120 assembled on the Day of Pentecost.
4. Testimonies of longevity would assure us that they included such men as Barsabas, Matthias, Stephen, Philip the evangelist and Barnabas.
5. The total list of biblically revealed New Testament miracle workers were 83 and include these:
i. The twelve apostles, including Judas.
ii. The other seventy also appointed. (Lk. 10)
iii. The Apostle Paul, as one born out of due season.
6. You never see a recorded miracle preformed by any New Testament saint, who was certainly not among these 83 men.
III. THE POWER OF APOSTOLIC MIRACLES
1. The above Scriptures teach that God gave this power.
2. It was given sovereignly, never as a result of special character, faith or seeking.
3. It was used to establish the gospel, never to promote or establish an individual.
IV. THE END OF APOSTOLIC MIRACLES
1. Scriptures assures us that the things involved in public apostolic miracles are temporary. (I Cor. 13:8-10)
2. This does not mean that God does not act above human ability when and as it pleases Him, including today.
3. It means that public miracles, which occupy a very small segment of Bible time, will cease.
4. Both logic and Bible record indicate that this ceased in direct coordination with the death of these 83 men.