Search
Close this search box.
its a miracle two types of miracles a thing worth doing a blog by Daniel webster - worship, ministry, and culture
its a miracle two types of miracles a thing worth doing a blog by Daniel webster - worship, ministry, and culture

It’s a Miracle! Two Types of Miracles and their Purpose

We often say, “It’s a miracle!” and life’s events often warrant this exclamation. But do we know what this exclamation actually means? God performs two types of miracles. In my own life, I can look back and clearly see God’s hand at work through providence on a number of occasions. But miracles are not just a cute thing that God does to blow our minds. He has a purpose for miracles.

Types of Miracles

Miracles that Defy the Laws of Nature

Sometimes God defies the laws of nature: the seas are parted, an ax head floats, the sun stands still, the dead raised to life. God created nature’s laws, so the laws that govern things like the buoyancy of an object, the gravitational pull on seas and oceans, the earth’s rotation, and the natural decay of a human body answer to His command. He can suspend, reverse, or augment nature’s laws at any time. He is transcendent above His creation.

Miracles of Providence

At other times, God orchestrates the events of this world in such a way that leaves us sure that it was His intervention. On a daily basis, He brings His will to pass while allowing men to freely choose—this is a great mystery—but sometimes it is more obvious to us. This is called providence, but these acts are no less miraculous. He works this way in the Old Testament narratives such as those of Joseph, Daniel, and Esther. In His providence, God is sovereign yet immanent.

The Purpose of Miracles

Miracles and Revelation

Miracles always accompany God’s special revelation. When God spoke through Moses and the prophets of the Old Covenant, He gave miracles in the form of confirmatory signs so that the people would confirm that their message was truly from God (Deut. 18:20-22). The same thing is true when Christ (Hebrews 1:2) came to earth and the Apostles (Acts 14:3, Hebrews 2:4) recorded the New Testament. Christ—God’s incarnate Word—and the New Testament writings—God’s inscripturated word—were accompanied by tongues, healings, and other miracles. These confirmatory miracles would serve to validate Christ and the Apostles.

Miracles and Apologetics

Miracles serve an apologetic purpose as they serve to strengthen the faith of the church and point sinners to Christ (John 20:30-31). This is ultimately the goal of apologetics. Sometimes Christians are hesitant to embrace the miraculous; they are shy to admit that an ax head can float, a donkey can talk, fortified city walls can fall at the sound of shouts. But a true Christian can not deny the miraculous. The reliability of Scripture and the validity of Christianity is inseparable from the miraculous. The Scriptures are full of miracles! It is impossible to view any part of the Bible as reliable if the authors were lying and/or exaggerating when they recorded these miracles. And the very thing that makes Christ our Savior is the fact that he miraculously conquered death (1 Cor. 15:17). Without miracles, you have no Bible, and you have no Risen Savior (John 11:25).

Click here for more Preaching Points.

For more on miracles, go here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AUTHOR >>>

Daniel Aaron Webster - blog a thing worth doing - worship, culture, ministry - early Christian music

Daniel Aaron Webster is a minister, writer, and teacher. His primary research interest is early Christian music, especially the musical thought of Clement of Alexandria.

Daniel serves at Welch College as Director of Enrollment & Marketing and Instructor of Music & Theology. He is also the Associate Pastor for Music & Worship at Immanuel Church in Gallatin, TN. 

Share This Article

Read More >>>

Connect With ATWD Blog

This is a no-spam zone. You will receive no more than 1 email per month.

Subscribe and receive a free eBook!

* indicates required