Are miracles still occurring because they are not specifically listed as ending?
Question:
Hello Mr. Hamilton,
I have a question for you. I know how people believe that miracles have ceased according to 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. But I have a question about that. In those verses, it says: "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears."
It never mentions miracles. It sounds as though miracles haven't ceased. If they ceased, does that mean people can't be cured of illnesses through prayer? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for your time,
Answer:
When dealing with a large set of things, we often select one or two as examples instead of listing every possibility. For example, in I Corinthains 6:9-10, Paul lists out several sins that can keep you out of heaven. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9-10). We know that Paul's list is not complete, but it is a sample based on prevalent sins in Corinth. Even so, Paul only selects one sin (fornication) to give detailed arguments on the excuses given to justify this sin. However, his arguments also apply to the other sins, so he doesn't need to repeat himself.
Similarly, a list of gifts of the Spirit are given: "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:8-10). Notice that there are categories of gifts:
- Gifts of information: wisdom, knowledge, and faith
- Gifts of divine intervention: healing, miracles, prophecy
- Gifts of communication: distinguishing spirits, tongues, and interpretation
When Paul later says, "But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away" (I Corinthians 13:8), he selected a gift from each category to represent the group. What is said about the one applies to the whole.
God still answers prayers, but instant miraculous healings done through men have stopped. See How does God heal people today?
Response:
Thank you for the information!
