Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionGod's miraculous power is a central theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating His sovereignty, authority, and love for His creation. Miracles serve as signs of God's intervention in the natural world, revealing His divine nature and purpose. These acts of power are recorded in both the Old and New Testaments, showcasing God's ability to transcend natural laws and accomplish His will. Old Testament Miracles In the Old Testament, God's miraculous power is evident from the very beginning. The creation account in Genesis 1 is the first demonstration of His power, as God speaks the universe into existence. The parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-22 is another significant miracle, where God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." Miracles also occur through the prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha. In 1 Kings 18:38, Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel, demonstrating God's supremacy over the false god Baal: "Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." New Testament Miracles The New Testament continues to reveal God's miraculous power, most notably through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus performs numerous miracles, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and controlling nature. In Matthew 14:19-21, Jesus feeds five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fish: "And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." The resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle of God's miraculous power, affirming His victory over sin and death. In Matthew 28:5-6, the angel announces the resurrection: "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.'" The Apostolic Age After Jesus' ascension, the apostles continue to perform miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 3:6-8, Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate: "But Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!' Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk." The apostolic miracles serve to confirm the message of the Gospel and the authority of the apostles as God's messengers. In Acts 5:12, it is recorded: "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade." Purpose and Significance God's miraculous power serves multiple purposes. It authenticates His messengers, confirms His word, and demonstrates His compassion and care for humanity. Miracles are signs that point to the greater reality of God's kingdom and His ultimate plan for redemption. They invite faith and trust in God's ability to intervene in human history and in individual lives. Conclusion While the Bible records numerous miracles, it also emphasizes that faith should not be solely dependent on witnessing miraculous events. In John 20:29, Jesus tells Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This underscores the importance of faith in God's power and promises, even when His miraculous works are not immediately visible. Subtopics God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures by Israel God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures: Saul God in the Banishment of John to Patmos God in Turning the Heart of the King of Assyria to Favor the Jews God is Declared to Be: A Consuming Fire God is Declared to Be: Compassionate God is Declared to Be: Eternal God is Declared to Be: Faithful God is Declared to Be: Glorious God is Declared to Be: Gracious God is Declared to Be: Immortal God is Declared to Be: Immutable God is Declared to Be: Incorruptible God is Declared to Be: Invisible God is Declared to Be: Jealous God is Declared to Be: Long-Suffering God is Declared to Be: Merciful God is Declared to Be: Most High God is Declared to Be: Omnipotent God is Declared to Be: Omnipresent God is Declared to Be: Omniscient God is Declared to Be: Only-Wise God is Declared to Be: Perfect God is Declared to Be: Righteous God is Declared to Be: Unsearchable God is Declared to Be: Upright God Loving all of his Children God: Appearances of To Abraham God: Appearances of To Ezekiel God: Appearances of To Jacob, at Beth-El God: Appearances of To Moses and Joshua God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai God: Appearances of To Moses, in the Flaming Bush God: Appearances of To Solomon God: Delaying and Destroying Pharaoh God: Delivering the Israelites God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow God: Fighting the Battles of Israel God: Preserver in Delivering from the Oppressions of the King of Syria God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Darkness God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Flies God: Preserver in Giving Peace With Other Nations God: Preserver in Preserving Their Cattle from the Plague of Murrain, God: Preserver in Saving the Firstborn, when the Plague of Death Destroyed the Firstborn of Egypt, God: Preserver in the Wilderness God: Preserver: As he Journeyed in the Land of Canaan God: Preserver: Daniel and the Three Hebrew Captives God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, God: Preserver: Delivering Israel by Jeroboam Ii God: Preserver: Delivering the Kingdom of Israel from Syria God: Preserver: Delivering Them from the Army of the Assyrians God: Preserver: Jeremah and Baruch God: Preserver: Jesus and his Parents God: Preserver: On Account of Samuel's Intercession God: Preserver: Paul and Silas God: Preserver: The Ethiopian Host God: Preserver: The Wise Men of the East God: Preserver: To Abraham and Sarah, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Hagar, when Abraham Cast Her Out God: Preserver: To Jacob, when he Fled from Laban, his Father-In-Law God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Lot, when Sodom Was Destroyed God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy God: Preserver: To Noah and his Family, at the Time of the Flood God: Preserver: To the Israelites, in Bringing About Their Deliverance from Bondage God: Preserver: To the Kingdom of Judah: in Delivering from Egypt God: Preserver: Under Jephthah God: Preserver: Victories Over the Canaanites Under Joshua God: Preserver: when he Met Esau God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech God: Protection of Homes While at Feasts God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The God: Purifying the Waters of Marah God: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion God: should be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth God: Special Grace: To Abraham God: Special Grace: To Solomon God: Supplying Manna and Quail God: Supplying Water at Meribah God: Symbolized by the Darkness of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle God: Symbolized by the General Structure of the Most Holy Place, See God: Symbolized by the Pillar of Fire God: The Revolt of the Ten Tribes God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine God: Warning the Wise Men from the East Sarcasm: God Reproaching Israel Related Terms |