From these and other biblical examples it is clear that natural laws, which are continuously in effect, were set aside to permit what is not normally possible. Signs, wonders and miracles were above nature, which is to say, “supernatural.” That is what made them remarkable. If miracles were just variations of what is normal and natural, they would not stand out as special. True miracles in the Bible clearly contrasted with normal things. They accomplished what was impossible by natural means. That is what made them so convincing.
Let the Bible define the meaning of “miracles”.
The way the Bible describes miracles presents a problem to people who want to claim the same power. How can they duplicate power that is truly supernatural? When they cannot, about the only thing they can do is to change the meaning of the word “miracle.” Many have done this in order to promote themselves. Their practice of re-defining “miracle” is not merely the casual or loose way that countless people use words. Rather, they have a purpose. They change meanings in order to call themselves “miracle workers” and “faith-healers.” As an example, consider the following description of miracles from a world-famous televangelist.
A miracle to one person might not be a miracle to another person. To most of us, a miracle is something happening that we can’t explain, but that makes a profound change for the better in our lives…. There are miracles that are unseen or unknown to anyone but to you. In such a miracle, you know that something has happened of an unusual nature, and you are thankful. The successful Christian life is partially made up of such miracles. Take for example an accident that is averted, and you whisper in awe, “That was a miracle.” …
A year before I began this ministry of healing, I was involved in an automobile accident in which I narrowly escaped injury. When I related my escape to a group of men, one of them came up to me [and said], “Young man, God is not ready for you to die yet. He just gave you a miracle.”
When things are going wrong in your work, you can pray and oftentimes there is such a change, that it is a miracle. Tension is lifted, attitudes are improved, friendships are formed, apologies are made, things are straightened out and almost instantly you are aware that everything is all right. It is so much easier to be efficient in your work when such miracles occur.