Churches of Christ & Modern Day Miracles

By Ben Bailey

Why do churches of Christ not believe in modern day miracles? Without a doubt, the subject of miracles is a very confusing subject to many. With such a miracle-frenzy sweeping our religious world, why do churches of Christ not believe in modern-day miracles? Let me offer two basic reasons.

First, the Bible teaches that miracles were to come to an end with the completion of the Bible. The purpose of miracles in the first century was to confirm the truth of God’s Word (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4). Miracles were never for physical gratification alone. Paul had the power to heal Trophimus, yet he left him in Miletus sick because miracles were not for physical gratification alone. (2 Tim. 4:20). The premiere passage that teaches miracles have ended is 1 Cor. 13:8-10. Paul states, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” In this passage Paul teaches prophecies, tongue-speaking, and miraculous knowledge will come to an end when that which is perfect comes. We must determine what the “perfect” is. The word for perfect in the original language carries the idea of complete or absolute. In the Bible there are only four things that are perfect: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. Of these four perfect items, God (Mt. 1:21), Christ (Jn. 1:1-4) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4ff) have already come by the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. The only thing left to come is the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25). Therefore, Paul is saying that when the perfect law of liberty is completed (perfected) that which is partial (prophecy, tongue-speaking and miraculous knowledge) will end. Dear friend, the Bible does not teach miracles still exist today.

Also, churches of Christ do not believe in modern-day miracles because we do not see any genuine miracles happening today. These are the kinds of miracles we read of in the Bible: a man is raised from the dead (Jn. 11), a lame man walks instantaneously (Acts 3), blind people are given their sight immediately (Mk. 10:49-52), a man’s ear is attached back to his head automatically (Lk. 22:50-51). Dear friend, you must admit these kinds of miracles are not happening today. As I say these things, please do not think that in the churches of Christ we do not believe in the power of prayer. We believe God can heal people through prayer and providence (James 5:13-15). In His time and way God will heal people, but people no longer have the power to do biblical miracles. Why is it that not one miracle worker can go down to the cemetery today and raise a dead person? Because that power no longer exist for us!

In a day and age when all people can seem to think about is miracles and the Holy Spirit, maybe we should start turning our attention to the product of the Holy Spirit—The Word of God (John 16:13). Instead of getting in a fizzle about miracles today, Christians need to be fired up for the Words of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 20:9). May God help us to study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15).