The theory that miracles and healings have passed away has little evidence to support it, either in Church history or from the Bible. For me to make such a claim might mean that some would stop reading right here; such is the power of tradition. Many are fully convinced that God stopped working physical miracles once the apostles passed away from the scene.

I believe this idea is faulty on a number of levels. Firstly, I find nowhere in the New Testament where it teaches that only apostles would work miracles. Jesus in fact said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12). 1 Corinthains 12:7 teaches that the gifts or manifestations of the Spirit are given to each one (Greek - hekastos, meaning each and every one) for the profit of all.

Secondly, imagine for a moment living at the time immediately prior to the Apostle John's death. I mention John because by all historical accounts, he was the longest living member of the original 12 apostles. Then imagine the scene outside John's residence. Imagine the cry, "John has not long to live! Get in on God's power while you can! Perhaps only 3 days of miracles left!" Then, imagine the line of people outside John's residence, all clamoring to have hands laid upon them by John so that they could be healed. And then, suddenly, an attendant comes out of the house, to tell those waiting, "I'm sorry, our beloved John has died. Go on back to your homes. God is no longer healing people. Healing has, of this moment, officially passed away!"

I asked you to imagine this, but in reality I cannot do so myself without thinking the whole thing to be quite ridiculous. Yet this is precisely the doctrine espoused by many in our day - that healing passed away with the death of the apostles.

Of course, the most important and indeed dramatic miracle is that of the new birth, when God supernaturally takes out the heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh. This is what we call the miracle of regeneration or being born again. All Bible believing Christians would affirm that this greatest of all miracles continues into our own day. We would therefore all agree that at least this miracle has not passed away. But in this brief article, when speaking of miracles, I am referring to the physical healings and miracles that are outward in nature (rather than inward, or in the heart) and can be verified by the senses - the types of miracles found in proliferation throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

THE EVIDENCE OF HISTORY

Much of the writings of Early Church fathers as well as ministers throughout the history of the Church, have noted definite miracles taking place as God's Word has been preached in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Iranaeus, one of the Early Church fathers (140-203 AD) in his book, Against Heresies Book 2, wrote, "Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His Name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come; they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up and remained among us for many years."

There is much more that could be said regarding healings and miracles throughout Church history. But certainly, the evidence does not show that healings and miracles forever ceased upon the death of the apostles.

I can testify to seeing God's miraculous power at work in my own ministry many times. We have seen a great number of healings take place as we have prayed for people, including a lady (named Mary Bandin) who had suffered with a deaf ear since her older sister poked a knitting needle in her ear whilst they were playing together as children! As she drove away from the Church service, now healed by the Lord, more than 30 years later, she had to make a big adjustment to the new sounds she was hearing in her ear.

In recent ministry in Mongolia, I had the privilege of seeing a lady aged 72, (the mother of the pastor of the church I was ministering in) healed of a lame leg, which she had suffered with since age 12 due to a horse riding accident. The testimony of healing for this woman after 60 years speaks to all in the town of the power of Christ and His Gospel.

THE EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURE

I have read many books that object to the ministry of Divine healing today. The arguments seem very weak to me. In fact, figuratively speaking, entire skyscrapers have been built on a dime of real estate. Why is that? Because I have not found one argument suggesting miracles and healings have passed away to be exegetically sound (based on a true interpretation of scripture). Quite the opposite in fact!

The main verses used to support the idea that all spiritual gifts (at least all miraculous ones) have passed away are found in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Here we read, "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."

These verses teach clearly that when the perfect comes, prophecies, tongues, knowledge and anything partial will pass away.

Some interpret these verses to say that since the 66 book canon of the Bible is complete, the perfect has come, and therefore all partial things have already passed away.

I would be very happy to agree with someone that when the perfect comes, these things will pass away. Why? Because the text clearly says that.

But the big question is this - what is being referred to as "the perfect" in these verses? You see, it is an assumption to say that the "perfect" is a reference to the Bible. Is that a correct assumption?

I believe it is here that a mistake has been made by many in this regard. It is an easy mistake to make because it is quite true to say that the Bible is perfect. The Bible is perfect in its inspiration. All Scripture is God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). The Bible is also complete. No one is adding to Scripture in our day.

Well isn't that the end of the matter then? No, I don't believe it is.

For although the Bible is perfect, I don't believe that this is the "perfect" thing that is being referred to in these verses. Why do I say that? Because of the immediate context.

I believe the "perfect" is revealed by reading the next few verses. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

When the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. Now, in the imperfect, we see in a mirror dimly, but then (when the perfect comes) face to face. Now, in the imperfect, we know in part, but then, we'll know fully.

The perfect is a reference therefore to the Second Coming of Christ, when our imperfect knowledge will pass away, when tongues and prophecies will not be necessary, when we see Him "face to face." In the eternal state, there will be no need for healing. There will be no sick people there. There will also be no need for Bible teachers, for evangelists, for pastors, for apostles and prophets. Christ Himself is all of these gifts personified and we will have access to Him directly. O what a joy that will be!

You see, even though the Bible is perfect, I know of no one here on earth having perfect understanding of its contents. We as Christians are all learning and growing in the knowledge of Christ, but none of us have arrived. But in heaven, all our errors in theology will vanish away! I say "thank God" for that! I would hate to think that I had to live with my present knowledge of things for all eternity!

Looking once again at the text in 1 Corinthians 13, with regard to what would pass away, it is worth noting that healings and miracles are not mentioned at all. That is an important consideration, I think you would agree.

Let me conclude with these words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge - even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

True signs that are from God, like any good sign, will point us in the right direction - towards God, towards Jesus Christ, and towards the truth of His Word.

Just because someone in some garage somewhere is trying to counterfeit 20 dollar bills, it doesn't mean that we should not use the genuine articles. Though there are many counterfeits out there, let us press in to God for the real thing.

The gifts are present until Christ returns - "you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1: 7).

2551 W. Orange Grove Road

Tucson, AZ 85741

HAVE MIRACLES AND HEALINGS PASSED AWAY?

Pastor John Samson