Written by Paul Rase

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Acts 6:8; Acts 8:6-7; Galatians 3:5

When you hear the word “miracle,” what comes to mind? Most of us naturally think of stories from the Bible. We think of Moses in Exodus. We think of Elijah. We think of Jesus. These are among the primary “miracle workers” in our minds. The stories of the miracles as they performed are among the most dramatic and awe-inspiring in scripture. It is more than a little surprising, then, that Paul includes miracles in the list of spiritual gifts. He seems to casually include it with faith, wisdom, and tongues.

The phrase Paul uses in the original Greek is energemata dunameon. Translated literally, it means something like “workings of powers.” A different word (semeion) is usually used for the miracles of Jesus. This word is translated “sign” and refers to something that authenticates or confirms that a message (or the messenger) is from God. Paul knew this other word, but he did not use it. He chose the phrase that means God’s supernatural power.

At a recent staff meeting, Pastor Micah gave an overview of spiritual gifts. He had us stand as he read through the list of gifts. We had quite a few for pastor and for teacher. We had a good number for serving, mercy, and even prophecy. The one gift that was clearly represented the least was miracles. If Pastor Micah were to ask the same question of our congregation, the result would be the same. But why?

If you picture an Old Testament prophet standing on a boulder with a staff raised above his head or Jesus Himself performing miracle after miracle, you are not going to easily place yourself among them. But Paul tosses miracles in with teaching and giving. It is one gift of the Spirit among many. (1 Cor. 12:28-29) It’s as if Paul is saying that this should be as common as the gift of wisdom or of teaching. If that is true, we should approach it like any other gift.

The Church’s traditional understanding of miracles includes: dramatic healings, raising the dead, casting out demons, supernatural multiplication of resources, divine deliverance or rescue, weather-altering events, occurrences that defy the laws of nature, and more. Is it possible that we have missed seeing this gift in our midst simply because of our expectations?

Have you prayed with someone to find a job and they did? Have you prayed for protection during a storm and were kept safe? Have you prayed for God to provide for someone and they received unexpected provision? Have you prayed peace over someone or shared the truth of God and their anxiety left suddenly or tormenting thoughts stopped?

Scripture reminds us in 1 Cor. 14:1 to desire the gifts (plural) of the Spirit. There are no better or worse gifts. They are all from the Spirit, and He gives them as He pleases. But we also don’t see the gift of miracles operating passively in the Bible. What we see, time and time again, is that believers pray. They speak out loud. They position themselves so that they need God to show up. And He does!