It may come as a surprise to some to learn that even the experience of a true miracle does not save a person from his sins. In fact, Saul underwent more than one miracle in the process of his conversion to Christ. First, he was miraculously blinded (cf. Acts 9:8–9), and then, he was miraculously given sight: “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith” (Acts 9:17–18). Yet, these miracles did not wash away Saul’s sins.
Many, today, simply do not know what the Bible teaches concerning miracles. Even so, the term miracle is often used today concerning many non-miraculous occurrences. An in depth study of miracles yields that their primary purpose in New Testament times was for: (1) proof that Jesus is the Christ, (2) fulfillment of prophecy, (3) proof that the first Christians’ messages were from God, and (4) to provide the first Christians’ with messages from God. Paul (formerly Saul) wrote in depth to the church at Corinth concerning their misuse of miraculous abilities (cf. 1 Corinthians 12–14). In an ungodly manner, the Corinthian brethren had ranked the “gift of tongues” (miraculous ability to speak another established language which one has never studied) as greater than other miraculous abilities (spiritual gifts).
In the midst of his writing concerning spiritual gifts, Paul wrote what has become known as “the greatest chapter on love.” Many, many people are familiar with Paul’s words about love in 1 Corinthians 13; yet, many of those same people do not know that said chapter is primarily concerning the early Christians’ use of miraculous abilities. Paul informed them how that their abilities to perform miracles were useless if they did not have sacrificial, godly love for their brethren (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:7).
He went on to inform them how that love is eternal, but the brotherhood’s ability to perform miracles was temporary: “Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:8–9). Then, Paul provides us this nugget of truth—the ability to perform miracles was only needed until the Word of God was completely revealed and written down (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:10). Thanks be to God for the miracles He has performed.
Thanks be to God for the completed Word of God that negates the need for miracles, today, as they were in the first century. Thanks be to God that we can be saved without having to experience or witness a miracle (cf. Mark 16:16).
