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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

The Spiritual Gift of Miracles

OK. This post is only for my non-Dispensational and non-Cessationist friends.

Do you have he spiritual gift of 'miracles' or 'miraculous powers'? Does anyone you know have it? Have you ever even heard of anyone with the gift of miracles? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? . . .

Here's the Bible passage that I am referring to:
1 Corinthians 12
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

....

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

In vv.9-10, the gifts of healing and miraculous powers are listed separately. Seemingly, the gift of miracles refers to miracles other than healings. And apparently the gift of miracles is also different than one who gives a prophecy or word of wisdom or knowledge which also seems miraculous. But what kind of miracles?

We have all heard of people with gifts of teaching and even if we don't know of someone personally, we have all heard of people with the gifts of tongues, healing, knowledge, etc. But what about miracles? Ever seen it in action? Ever heard of it? Ever even heard urban legends of someone with the gift? I've been a Christian 20+ years and have been loosely affiliated with the charismatic/pentecostal movement for much of it -- and I don't know ANYONE. Sure I've heard of miracles but don't know anyone with the gift.

I've been pondering these verse for the past few weeks and thinking about miracles. If I had the gift of miracles what kind of miracles might I perform? What would I consider a miracle in my life? What would I even consider a bona fide miracle and not just long shot coincidence?

Let's just state clearly here: no person performs miracles. God works miracles through them. No person has the power, only God does. However, when we know people with teaching gifts, we generally expect them to activate and use those gifts on demand -- as if the gift were at their disposal. Is it possible for a person to use the gift of miracles in the same way as the gift of teaching?

I think there is a lot to be learned about the gift of miracles and we have a need for more miracle workers. I have decided to pray for the gift to be given to me -- to "eagerly desire" it as the scripture recommends. Why don't you join me?

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