Why would modern attempts at miracles cluster around things that are relatively easy? Why not duplicate all the variety of biblical miracles? Why avoid those about which there can be no doubt? After all, anyone can…
- specialize in healings that are invisible or gradual.
- make strange noises and call them ‘tongues.’
- claim to have supernatural revelations.
Most pagan religions have their priests and witch-doctors who for centuries have done these very things. They have performed so impressively that they have convinced masses of people. The most clever have gained huge followings. This happened in Bible times too. Notice that “all paid attention” to Simon the Sorcerer, according to Acts 8:9-11 (cf. Acts 13:8; 19:35-36).
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).
Someone has rightly said, “These are matters for demonstration, not argumentation.” Let those who claim miracles simply do what Jesus and the apostles did, like giving instant speech to the mute, instant hearing to the deaf, instant walking to the crippled, instant sight to the blind, raising a man dead for four days, walking on water, and feeding 5,000 people. Since anyone can make great claims, there must be clear demonstration to distinguish what is genuine from what is fake.
Even if a demonstration seems genuine, the teaching must still be tested. Remember that Satan’s activity can be powerful, even in miraculous ways.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Displaying “all power,” the lawless one’s signs may be convincing, even under scrutiny. However, being “lawless,” his teachings certainly do not match the true teachings of Scripture. So the teachings too must be checked. No miracle—even a direct visit from an angel—can be made greater than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).
We are engaged in a spiritual war that has eternal consequences. That is why we are serious about obeying the command of love: “Test the spirits!”
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).