Moore Perspective: Questions About Biblical Miracles (Part 2): Since the Lord obviously performed miracles in the past, and He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), should we expect miracles today?

Wednesday, 12 August 2020

Questions About Biblical Miracles (Part 2): Since the Lord obviously performed miracles in the past, and He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), should we expect miracles today?

The statement in Hebrews 13:8 emphasizes the Lord’s consistent nature, but has nothing to do with the particular ways He has chosen to carry out His overall purpose. Even if God happens to change His mind (e.g. Gen. 6:6-8; 18:20-32; Num. 16:20-24), this does not affect the consistency of His nature. The divine will has been communicated to man in different ways throughout history (Heb. 1:1-2), but the Lord remains the same. At one time God required animal sacrifices, Sabbath observance, a priesthood of Levi’s descendants, circumcision, abstinence from certain foods, etc., but He subsequently changed all these things (Heb. 7:12; 8:6-13). God created the universe in six days (Gen. 2:1-2), but He is not currently continuing that activity. God made the first human beings supernaturally (Gen. 2:7, 22), but no one today is being formed directly from dust or a rib. The point is, God worked miracles in the first century AD in order to communicate and confirm His will during a time when the Bible was not yet complete in its written form. But once God’s written word had been finished, these miracles had served their purpose and were no longer needed (cf. John 20:30-31).

-- Kevin L. Moore

*Originally appearing in The Exhorter (April-June 1998). The current article published 19 August 2020.