If God performed miracles before why do we limit him today?
Throughout history, God has performed miracles;
- Moses led the Israelites through the parted Red Sea.
- During Elijah’s ministry, God performed miracles to demonstrate His power and authority over false gods and idolatry.
- Elisha made an axe head float.
- Jesus actually performed healings, miracles, signs, and wonders.
- The apostles themselves performed miracles as described in the New Testament scriptures.
Furthermore, God can still perform miracles today taking the words of Jesus “all things are possible with God” (Matthew 19:26) His power hasn’t diminished since the days of the early church.
It is imperative that we believe all of the above, and if God chooses to do so, He is still capable of performing miracles today. It is important to note, however, that most miracles claimed by modern-day prophets in the charismatic movement have nothing in common with Biblical miracles.
God does not need to do miracles for everyone in order for Him to accomplish His will. Nor does He need to do miracles for every Christian to prove His love and existence.
In the past miracles were key to authenticating the revelation of the Word of God. Once the Bible was canonized there is no longer a need to authenticate a preacher via signs and wonders. We can now authenticate any preacher and their teachings by comparing what they say with the word of God.
So, does God still need to perform miracles? Do we need ongoing miracles to substantiate the Bible? Should believers claim miracles by faith? Does God do miracles on demand? The answer is no and there is nothing in scripture that indicates that miracles like those during the apostolic era continue today.
Even reading the book of Acts it is evident that there is a decline in the number of miracles performed. In the early chapters of the book of Acts there are an abundance of miraculous signs and wonders. For example:
- Acts 2:43 (NKJV): “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”
- Acts 5:12-16 (NKJV): “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people… Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
However, as the narrative progresses, the focus begins to shift away from miracles and toward the spread of the gospel and the establishment of church doctrine. By the later chapters of Acts, miracles are less prominent, and Paul’s ministry, in particular, emphasizes teaching and enduring suffering rather than performing miracles (Acts 14:22, Acts 20:20-21).
Even in Paul’s letters, there is a notable absence of encouragement for believers to seek miracles. Instead, the emphasis is on spiritual maturity, faith, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9). By the time Paul writes to Timothy, he does not perform a miracle for Trophimus, who remains ill at Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), but advises Timothy to take wine for his stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23).
This decline reiterates the transitional nature of miracles during the apostolic era—primarily as a tool for authenticating the message of the gospel, which had now been firmly established.
In conclusion, while God remains sovereign and fully capable of performing miracles, the purpose of miracles in Scripture was primarily to authenticate His messengers and their message. With the completion of the canon of Scripture, there is no longer a need for miracles to confirm the truth of God’s Word. The Bible is sufficient, complete, and able to equip believers for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
This does not mean God has stopped intervening in the lives of His people; He continues to work providentially, orchestrating events for His purposes and His glory. However, we should not expect miracles to occur with the same frequency or purpose as during the biblical era. Instead of focusing on miraculous signs, believers are called to walk by faith, trust in God’s providence, and rely on the ultimate miracle: the transforming power of the gospel in the lives of those who believe.