In these and numerous other cases, the genuineness of the miracles was so plain as to be beyond dispute. First century records are entirely consistent on this point. Various people—observers, authorities, critics— questioned the source and the meaning of the power, but never the reality of the miracles themselves. Some of the strongest evidence comes from unbelievers and opponents. For example, when Nicodemus was as yet an unbeliever (John 3:10-12), he still knew what he had seen. He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus eventually became a disciple. Others took a different direction. They became more frustrated and filled with hatred. The more obvious and impactful the miracle, the greater their determination to kill Jesus.
So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this Man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:47-48).
The same was true of the apostles’ miracles, especially when they became the focus of greater attention. In Acts 3, Peter healed a man who had been lame since birth. Each day he begged at an entrance to the temple and was well-known to all who attended regularly. His healing and Peter’s preaching attracted attention that the Jewish leaders resented. They said,
What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it (Acts 4:16).
The miracles of Jesus and His apostles were obviously above the laws of nature. So their enemies would have looked foolish to dispute their reality.