Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
September 9, 2018

Let’s Study Miracles (Part 2)
by Bryan Gibson
Because the Book of Acts describes numerous miracles, we’re using it as the basis for our study. We began last week with three observations, and as promised, we’ll make three more this week.
#4 The people who performed these miracles, signs, and wonders did so by the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostles spoke in tongues (languages) “as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Cornelius and his household also spoke in tongues—after they had “received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:44-48). Jesus performed many miracles, because He was “anointed…with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38). Some men in Ephesus “spoke with tongues and prophesied,” but again, it was after “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6). And these passages certainly harmonize with other New Testament passages—like Romans 15:19 (“in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God”), and Galatians 3:5 (“He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you”).
#5 This power, however, did not come from the Holy Spirit alone. These miracles were actually a unified effort from each person in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Look carefully at this prayer from the apostles: “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they make speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). They’re praying to the Father, asking Him to stretch out His hand—asking Him to grant them the power to do signs and wonders in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, then, did not act independently of the Father, and Jesus was involved too, because these miracles were performed in His name (or by His authority). “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (Acts 3:6). “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her” (Acts 16:18). Performing miracles, though, involved more than just calling on the name of Jesus, a point which some folks learned the hard way. In an effort to cast out an evil spirit, they used the name of Jesus, but they lacked His authority. BIG mistake, because here’s what happened: “And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (read the full account in Acts 19:13-17).
#6 Because these miracles were performed by the power of the Holy Spirit, one had to receive the Holy Spirit—with miraculous effects—before he or she could perform them. We use the phrase, “with miraculous effects,” because there is a sense in which every Christian receives the Holy Spirit, including the Christians we read about in the Book of Acts. Only certain ones, though, performed miracles, so we must make a distinction between the manner in which every Christian receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 5:32; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 4:6-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:21-22), and those who received it with miraculous effects. The apostles received the Holy Spirit when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised them it would happen (John 14-16; Acts 1:4, 8), and it did happen (note the miraculous effect—“and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues”—Acts 2:4). Interestingly enough, for a period of time (up until Acts 6), the apostles were the only ones who performed miracles (Acts 2:43; 4:33; 5:12).
Lord willing, we’ll look at others who performed miracles, besides the apostles, and how they were enabled to do so. We’ll also consider the all important question: Do men and women today have the power to perform miracles?

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class.. 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.