WORKING OF MIRACLES
The Greek phrase for "working of miracles" is in the plural. Literally, it
means "(energemata dunameon--operations of works of power)" Even as there
isno gift of healing, which would enable a person to heal everyone, so there is
no gift bestowing the power to work miracles at will. The Spirit may move on
anyone to manifest a work of power in a certain situation.
There are many opinions about the gift of working miracles, even as there
are about the gifts of healings. Some place healings in the people realm and
miracles in the natural realm, calling a miracle any activity that is contrary to the
natural course of things. Miracles have to do with inanimate objects: the chang-
ing of the natural course of events or the overriding of the laws of nature. For
example: Jesus turns the water into wine (John 2:1-11); Jesus feeds the five
thousand men and their wives and children with five loaves and two fishes (Matt.
14:15-21); Paul speaks blindness upon Elymas, the sorcerer (Acts 13:7-11); Paul
shakes off the serpent which had fastened upon his hand and is not harmed
(Acts28:3-6); or Paul and Silas are set free from prison by an earthquake
(Acts 16:22--34). These are operations of works of power.
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