Miraculous Signs and Wonders

But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. [Acts 14.3]

Here in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas were preaching Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike. The verse above says God proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Why do miraculous signs and wonders prove the Gospel message ("the grace of the Lord,") is true?

The message of the grace of the Lord is that He has afforded, to those who believe, forgiveness of sins (redemption from default judgment) because of Jesus' sacrifice on behalf of mankind. Jesus made it very clear:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [John 3.16-18]

What is judgment? It is the fair and just punishment for disobedience. And so, what is the actual punishment? Ultimately, it is death, however, in the interim, it is every curse described in Deuteronomy 28.15-68.

God's own Word says the curses of sickness, disease, poverty, tragedy, destruction, loss, and more are all resultant to disobedience. So naturally, signs and wonders that overcome these curses prove the grace of the Lord seen in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Still not convinced? Jesus used an opportunity in a synagogue one day to present Himself and His 'marching orders' (what He was sent for) for the record:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

God's grace and His favor are not far separated! The Good News Jesus spoke of released captives, made the blind to see, and freed the oppressed - all in demonstration of the time of God's favor (the age of grace as many call it today).

"That's all well and good for Jesus," one might say, "but how does that apply to Paul and Barnabas?"

It applied to Paul and Barnabas because of something Jesus said to the disciples earlier:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

But this still does not actually compute to Paul and Barnabas just because it was said to the disciples, right? Wrong! Look earlier in John's Gospel at Jesus' prayer for His disciples:

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. [John 17.18-20]

Paul and Barnabas believed because of the message of the disciples! And, all who have ever believed in Christ through the message of the original disciples ARE SENT AS JESUS WAS SENT! All then who are sent as Jesus was sent will be proven by miraculous signs and wonders (proclaiming the Good News, releasing captives, healing the infirmed, freeing the oppressed, and generally promoting God's favor)!

But what if those miraculous signs and wonders are not happening? If not, we should question the genuineness of our presentation of God's favor! God's favor certainly hasn't changed. The 'age of grace' has not passed. The only variant in this scenario is mankind... 

Because of this, the burden lies entirely upon believers in Christ to expect Christlike miraculous signs and wonders to follow them on earth thus proving the genuineness of their ministry. Consequently, when God proves the genuineness of ministry with miraculous signs and wonders, the validation of man is of no significance.

But, be prepared! Just because God validates His favor through Christ does not mean worldly mankind will like it! In historical fact, miraculous signs and wonders have more often inspired persecution than acclaim.

Father, I want to be like Christ. I know my words mean nothing, but I must keep speaking them because I know Christlikeness is the only life-goal worthy of pursuit. Validate Your ministry through my life with miraculous signs and wonders counting me worthy to suffer persecution for the sake of Christ! So be it!