joyfulone3863

You ask a good question: Why dont we see the miracles Christ said would happen? I think it is because we do not truly believe him, that they will happen. Jesus tells us, in Matt 17:20, "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place and it shall be removed, and nothing shall be impossible unto you." So if we believe that, we will act on it and see the powerful results. There are some who do believe, but they are few. I attended (and had the privilege to participate in) a church, in Cincinnati, OH, in which such miracles took place. Even so, when they did, many skeptics arose who said they were faked and refused to believe them. So some will refuse to believe, thought miracles take place right in front of them. But for those who do not, these miracles attest to the present power of God, still active and alive in the world today.

You make a good point. Miracles are all around us, if we just look for them. Another point I would like to make is that I believe God is always working in our lives, but many times in ways we do not recognize, because we are looking for something else. An example of this might be a woman praying for a husband, and not seeing the one God has for her right in front of her because in her mind he looks like something or someone else. We want what we want, as children, when God--our all-seeing parent--has something better for us, many times.

In what way has the truth of salvation been confirmed to you? The truth of salvation has been confirmed to me, in my own life, by immediate changes in myself--attitude and behavior both--at the time of my own salvation, as well as by changes brought about by God's grace over time. One immediate change was deliverance from smoking. Another was deliverance from a constant state of depression. A slower change was more tolerance for those of other cultures and beliefs, and another was having more patience with other people. Would signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry today? I believe signs and wonders always help to establish the truth of God's power, and help to activate and/or strengthen faith. As physical beings in a physical realm, we look for outward signs of everything, in order to confirm our feelings or tendencies to believe in something. It is natural for us to do this as humans. This is particularly true for those who are of the world, who have not yet come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Seasoned Christians, who are more accustomed to believing and acting on faith, do not generally require as much physical evidence of God's power, however, (although in times of great trial we might). From which portion of the Bible have you formed your opinion of the value of signs and wonders? I have fomed my opinion about the value of signs and wonders from parts of the New Testament in which Jesus and also his disciples performed miracles. Examples are healing, multiplying the loaves and fishes, the raising of Lazarus from the dead (to name just a few). I believe Jesus and his disciples performed these wonders and signs to draw people to them and to activate their faith.

I agree, we do let our everyday lives interfere with our relationship with Jesus. And it is the subtle things, (forgetting to pray because we are so busy, etc.) Good answer.

We are not immune intellectually--when the world throws other doctrine at us from other "religions" and with worldly theories, such as evolution, seeks to confound our minds with worldly logic. Also, we are not immune morally, for we are susceptible to the devices of Satan and the world, in our human frailty, if we do not diligently cling to Christ and the cross, as they would tempt us away from our stand for Chirst with various enticements: a better position within our present career or company; a better job, etc. We can resist the tendency to drift by paying more careful attention to the gospel (which warns us about such devices of Satan and the world).

I think the author is using the word, "son" to describe Jesus' relationship to his Father, (although this is of course not a biological relationship). Nevertheless, Jesus' relationship to his father is a sonship relationship, because Jesus was begotten, not made (John 1:14). A son's words would have more weight than a prophet's because of the relationship of a son to his father.

I think the author is using the word, "son" to describe Jesus' relationship to his Father, (although this is of course not a biological relationship). Nevertheless, Jesus' relationship to his father is a sonship relationship, because Jesus was begotten, not made (John 1:14).

Hi, I live in Illinois and am Pentecostal in denomination (although I dont strictly adhere to that) but follow the leading of God's Holy Spirit. I could use prayer as I am going through many trials and much persecution just now. I believe this Bible Study will be very helpful to me and I am grateful for this website being here. I have a pending Liberal Studies degree from UIS and have a son who in married. I love the Lord and look forward to interacting with other believers here.

I surfed the web to find a Bible Study I could get to easily and this was it. I am Pentecostal and believe in all of the gifts of the spirit and am hungry to learn more about the Lord. I am not goog at these forums so I hope I'm doing this right. Please let me know if I am not. Thanks. I live in Illinois.