Discourse on The Miracles of Jesus (Yeshua)
THE MIRACLES OF JESUS FACT OR FICTION?
People brought him [Jesus Christ] as shown at Matthew 8:16, "And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick:" (American Standard Version; ASV). And Mark 4:39 states, "And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (ASV). How do you view these statements? Do you believe that scribe actual, historical events, or do you feel that allegorical stories, mere myths?
Some individuals today express serious doubts about the historicity , miracles. To these individuals this era of scientific technology and genetic engineering leaves little room for reports of miraculous works and devine experiences.
These individuals consider accounts of miracles as hard to believe or fantastic.
Other misguided individuals view Jesus' miracles as outright frauds. The false charge of deception is sometimes hurled at Jesus himself. Justin Martyr of the second century C.E., stated some detractors "even ventured to call him a magician and a deceiver of the people." Some falsely allege that Jesus "did not perform his miracles as a Jewish prophet, but as a magician, an initiate of the heathen temples," which is of course utter foolishness as we all well know that magicians can not perform miracles.
Defining Impossibility You may feel that behind such doubts, there is a fundamental reason why people are reluctant to believe in miracles. They just find it difficult, even impossible, to accept the thought that supernatural forces could be at work. "Miracles just do not happen-period," said a young person who called himself an agnostic. He then quoted the words of 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume, who wrote: "A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature."
However, many would be very cautious about asserting that a certain phenomenon is impossible. The World Book Encyclopedia calls a miracle " an event that cannot be explained through the known laws of nature." By that definition, space travel, wireless communication, and satellite navigation would have seemed to most to be "miracles" just a century ago. Surely it is unwise to assert that miracles are impossible simply because we cannot explain them based on present knowledge. If we examine some of the Scriptural evidence surrounding miracles ascribed to Jesus Christ, what will we find? Are Jesus' miracles fact or fiction?
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN?
You may be surprised to learn that the Bible accounts of Jesus' life on earth never use the original language word for "miracle." The Greek word (dy'na.mis) sometimes translated "miracle" literally means "power." Per Luke 8:46, " But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me." (ASV). It may also be rendered "ability" or "powerful worksm" as shown at Matthew 11:20; 25:15, " Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not." (ASV) and 25:15, " And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey." (ASV). According to one scholar, this Greek term "emphasizes the mighty work that has been done, and, in particular, the power by which it was accomplished. The event is described in terms of the power of God in action." Another Greek term (te'ras) is usually rendered "portent" or "wonder," John 4:48, " Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe," (ASV), and Acts 2:19, " And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:" (ASV). This expression highlights the effect on observers. Quite often, the crowd and the disciples were amazed and astounded at Jesus' powerful works as shown at Mark 2:12, "And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion." (Authorized King James Bible; AV); and Mark 4:41, "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (AV); and Mark 6:51 "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered." (AV); and Luke 9:43, "And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples," (AV).
A third Greek term (se.mei'on) referring to Jesus' miracles denotes a "sign." It "focuses upon the deeper meaning of the miracle," says scholar Robert Deffinbaugh. He adds: "A sign is a miracle which conveys a truth about our Lord Jesus."
Illusion or God-Given Power?
The Bible does not describe Jesus' miracles as tricks or illusions designed to entertain people. They were manifestations of "the majestic power of God," as in the case of a boy from whom Jesus expelled a demon per Luke 9:37-44, "And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 ¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples," (AV). Would such powerful works be impossible for Almighty God-the One who is described as having at Isaiah 40:26, "Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking." (ASV) clearly showing God's (YHWH's) force or power.
The Gospel accounts refer to some 35 miracles of Jesus. But the total number of his miracles is not revealed. For instance, Matthew 14:14 states: "And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick." (ASV). He [Jesus (Yeshua)] saw a great crowd; and he felt pity for them, and he cured their sick ones." However, we are not told how many sick people he cured on that occasion. Such powerful works were central to Jesus' (Yeshua) claim that he was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. The Scriptures did indeed show that God-given power enabled Jesus to perform miracles. The apostle Peter referred to Jesus (Yeshua) at Acts 2:22, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" (AV). On another occasion, Peter pointed out at Acts 10:37-38 that, " that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (ASV).
To Read the Remainder, Go To:
Discourse on The Miracles of Jesus (Yeshua)
http://examining-doctrines.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=197
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
THE MIRACLES OF JESUS FACT OR FICTION?
People brought him [Jesus Christ] as shown at Matthew 8:16, "And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick:" (American Standard Version; ASV). And Mark 4:39 states, "And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (ASV). How do you view these statements? Do you believe that scribe actual, historical events, or do you feel that allegorical stories, mere myths?
Some individuals today express serious doubts about the historicity , miracles. To these individuals this era of scientific technology and genetic engineering leaves little room for reports of miraculous works and devine experiences.
These individuals consider accounts of miracles as hard to believe or fantastic.
Other misguided individuals view Jesus' miracles as outright frauds. The false charge of deception is sometimes hurled at Jesus himself. Justin Martyr of the second century C.E., stated some detractors "even ventured to call him a magician and a deceiver of the people." Some falsely allege that Jesus "did not perform his miracles as a Jewish prophet, but as a magician, an initiate of the heathen temples," which is of course utter foolishness as we all well know that magicians can not perform miracles.
Defining Impossibility You may feel that behind such doubts, there is a fundamental reason why people are reluctant to believe in miracles. They just find it difficult, even impossible, to accept the thought that supernatural forces could be at work. "Miracles just do not happen-period," said a young person who called himself an agnostic. He then quoted the words of 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume, who wrote: "A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature."
However, many would be very cautious about asserting that a certain phenomenon is impossible. The World Book Encyclopedia calls a miracle " an event that cannot be explained through the known laws of nature." By that definition, space travel, wireless communication, and satellite navigation would have seemed to most to be "miracles" just a century ago. Surely it is unwise to assert that miracles are impossible simply because we cannot explain them based on present knowledge. If we examine some of the Scriptural evidence surrounding miracles ascribed to Jesus Christ, what will we find? Are Jesus' miracles fact or fiction?
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN?
You may be surprised to learn that the Bible accounts of Jesus' life on earth never use the original language word for "miracle." The Greek word (dy'na.mis) sometimes translated "miracle" literally means "power." Per Luke 8:46, " But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me." (ASV). It may also be rendered "ability" or "powerful worksm" as shown at Matthew 11:20; 25:15, " Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not." (ASV) and 25:15, " And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey." (ASV). According to one scholar, this Greek term "emphasizes the mighty work that has been done, and, in particular, the power by which it was accomplished. The event is described in terms of the power of God in action." Another Greek term (te'ras) is usually rendered "portent" or "wonder," John 4:48, " Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe," (ASV), and Acts 2:19, " And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:" (ASV). This expression highlights the effect on observers. Quite often, the crowd and the disciples were amazed and astounded at Jesus' powerful works as shown at Mark 2:12, "And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion." (Authorized King James Bible; AV); and Mark 4:41, "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (AV); and Mark 6:51 "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered." (AV); and Luke 9:43, "And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples," (AV).
A third Greek term (se.mei'on) referring to Jesus' miracles denotes a "sign." It "focuses upon the deeper meaning of the miracle," says scholar Robert Deffinbaugh. He adds: "A sign is a miracle which conveys a truth about our Lord Jesus."
Illusion or God-Given Power?
The Bible does not describe Jesus' miracles as tricks or illusions designed to entertain people. They were manifestations of "the majestic power of God," as in the case of a boy from whom Jesus expelled a demon per Luke 9:37-44, "And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 ¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples," (AV). Would such powerful works be impossible for Almighty God-the One who is described as having at Isaiah 40:26, "Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking." (ASV) clearly showing God's (YHWH's) force or power.
The Gospel accounts refer to some 35 miracles of Jesus. But the total number of his miracles is not revealed. For instance, Matthew 14:14 states: "And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick." (ASV). He [Jesus (Yeshua)] saw a great crowd; and he felt pity for them, and he cured their sick ones." However, we are not told how many sick people he cured on that occasion. Such powerful works were central to Jesus' (Yeshua) claim that he was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. The Scriptures did indeed show that God-given power enabled Jesus to perform miracles. The apostle Peter referred to Jesus (Yeshua) at Acts 2:22, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" (AV). On another occasion, Peter pointed out at Acts 10:37-38 that, " that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (ASV).
To Read the Remainder, Go To:
Discourse on The Miracles of Jesus (Yeshua)
http://examining-doctrines.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=197
Your Friend in Christ Iris89