The Holy Spirit gives some people a spiritual gift called the “working of miracles.” The word translated “miracles” is the Greek word that gives us the English “dynamite.” It means power. So we have the gift of making powerful things happen.
What does that mean?
If we simply take the word as miracles then you have some of the things you see on the stage at a Las Vegas magician act. Elephants float. People are sawed in two. Birds disappear. This is what some people would think of. Jesus had to deal with this.
(Luke 11:16 KJV) And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.People followed Him around saying “entertain us with magic.”
Keep in mind that spiritual gifts are given to build up and edify the body of Christ. They are not to amuse us, build our careers or reinforce our ego. That puts some limits on what this could mean.
What kind of power acts are needed to build the body of Christ? Many of them will go unnoticed. Many may not be wanted. They will overlap with other gifts such as giving, healing, and faith. I think a person that has this gift gets people to respond to ideas and suggestions. When you are having a church meeting and can’t come to a consensus, you are stuck. Then some quiet person suggests a solution that catches on and the church is moving again.
Works of power are rare in the church because miracles don’t really convert people. I good example of that is the time Jesus healed Lazarus. After the miracle some of those who were witnesses ran off to meet with the Jewish leaders. Did they respond in faith and obedience? No.
(John 11:53 KJV) Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.You see this time and again. Miracles are exciting but they don’t change lives.
homo unius libri
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