Evaluating the Knowledge of This World

The world we live in is filled with controversy and conflict. When you turn on the news channels, it seems that all you hear is argument and accusation. One side says we need universal health care; the other says it will ruin the nation. Another group says millions are facing extinction because of global warming, or maybe they call it climate change. Their opponents accuse the believers in climate change of lying and say that proponents are using it to promote a sinister one world government. Even among those who call themselves the Church of God, there is disagreement and dissension about various doctrines and issues.

How can we discern what is right or wrong - or true or false - in the midst of an explosion of competing viewpoints? Can we determine with reasonable certainty what stance to take on the hot button issues that confront our peoples today? What are some keys to evaluating information or knowledge?

Realize the Weakness of the Knowledge of This World

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose to take of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3:3-6, 17). That tree contained a mixture of knowledge. Some of the knowledge was good; other titillating tidbits were not so good. In fact, just choosing this mixed knowledge caused Adam and Eve to endure a lifetime of pain, sorrow, and hardship (vv.16-19). Since the days of the original man and woman, the knowledge of man has continued to be a mixed bag. During some ages of history, it appears that a much of the knowledge produced was good. In other times and countries, it seems that the lion’s share of man’s knowledge was evil. The Third Reich of Adolf Hitler was a prime example of a society overwhelmed by the knowledge of evil.

When we look at man’s knowledge, we need to remember Solomon’s admonition, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). For instance, management at the Sangamo Weston plant in Pickens thought it would be good to dump industrial waste products into containment ponds. Years later it was discovered that PCBs just happened to leach out of the ponds into the streams that fed into Lake Hartwell. Since then, many have avoided eating the fish from that lake because of the contamination. But it seemed right at the time.

Paul spoke of the wisdom of this present world in Romans 1. In this passage, he points out the fundamental flaw in man’s knowledge.

Romans 1:22, 28-32

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,…²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,^* wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,^* unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The prophet Hosea wrote “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge [the knowledge of the truth]…” (Hosea 4:6). Every evil thing comes from the rejection of the knowledge of God. When we evaluate the knowledge of man, it is good to determine if that knowledge is based on an approach that rejects God or refuses to include a consideration of godly principles. For instance, any knowledge based on the theory of evolution contains much that is patently false.

Throughout history, man has often not seen the full picture – not had all the facts - and consequently believed all sorts of untruths. To some, the truth was that the earth was flat. Gold could come from lead. Life could spring from spontaneous generation. Later generations came to understand that those popular ideas were flat out falsehoods.

As we examine various ideas, we have to realize the inherent biases and desires that humans have that skew and distort understanding. Those who believe all creation is 6000 years old will not readily admit any evidence that contradicts their viewpoint. The believers in health care reform may overlook or ignore the fact that the bill is going to cost billions of dollars because their desire for its passage is so great.

Also, we have to look at the fruits of the proponents of various theories and ideas. For instance, you would think that any strong proponent of man-made climate change would also be a person who is zealously practicing energy conservation in his everyday life. But the inconvenient truth is that Al Gore has a huge house that guzzles energy. Evidently, he does not practice what he preaches. The ironic thing is that former President Bush, considered an anti-environmentalist by some, built a house that utilized numerous energy and water conservation measures.

In looking at the knowledge of man, we have to realize that Paul’s statement to Timothy about our time today is accurate. He wrote that man is “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). In today’s world we have an explosion of knowledge, but there is little knowledge of the truth. David wrote “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalms 1:1). We will be blessed when we avoid the faulty knowledge that mankind gets worked up about.

Realize the Value of the Word of God

To rightly evaluate the wisdom and knowledge of this world, we have to realize the value of the Word of God. The Bible contains the basic principles of truth, knowledge, and wisdom. David wrote that all of God’s word is the truth (Psalm 119:162). Solomon wrote that having the right attitude toward God is the starting point. Proverbs 1:7 says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” A later verse says that same attitude is where wisdom begins (Proverbs 9:10).

The Israelites were instructed in how valuable God’s commandments are.

Deuteronomy 4:5-6

⁵ "Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. ⁶ Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'

Mankind today can have this same knowledge, wisdom, and understanding when our information is based on the truth of God revealed in His word. Of course, the Bible does not tell us all the knowledge of science, math, engineering, or history. There are legitimate principles that man has discovered. The Pythagorean Theorem works. Any good carpenter will verify that applying the knowledge of right triangles will help get a structure squared every time. But if we do have a solid foundation in the knowledge of God, we will come closer to a correct evaluation of the knowledge of this world.

What to Do

When we are presented with information from the world about a subject, what else should we do to determine its authenticity?

We need to get the facts - all the facts. It’s easy to be misled by incomplete information. Many times cutting edge information is incorrect. The Fort Hood killer was evidently dead for awhile according to the early reports. Also, many are easily misled by emotional arguments or clever presentations. We have to be aware of the tactics of deception that people often use. The Jews in Berea that Paul spoke to set a good example of how to approach new information. They “…received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11.) They had the right attitude and they diligently checked out what Paul had to say.

As man departs further from the truth, it will be more imperative that we be able to discern and evaluate the information that is thrown at us. We cannot afford to be subscribers to a National Enquirer mentality – gullible and willing to believe anything anyone says is true and factual. The Bible admonishes us to reject the mixed wisdom that comes for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Instead, we are to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Let’s put on the mind of Christ and follow His wisdom and knowledge. Then we will be able to rightly evaluate the wisdom of this world.

MHB: January 2, 2010

How Will You Rule in the Kingdom of God?

Human beings the world over are suffering. From Siberia to the Sudan, from Tehran, Iran to Tripoli, Libya, and from Pyongyang, North Korea to Caracas, Venezuela people just like you and me are faced with hunger, disease, strife, and oppression. A major source of the problems facing mankind is the people who are in power. Too many nations are ruled over by tyrants and despots. In those countries, people’s lives are filled with misery, deprivation, and oppression. Even in countries with more freedom, there is constant strife between various groups. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the time in the future when those conditions will change. The Bible clearly reveals that all the systems of rule that man has devised over the past 6000 years are going to be replaced, and future rulers will not be susceptible to the inherent weaknesses of human beings.

But we have to ask, “Why is there a problem with the current way of ruling? What’s wrong with democracy, socialism, oligarchies, or dictatorships?” The answer is: the fundamental flaw of human governmental systems is humans. Mankind just naturally resists the way of life that really works (Romans 8:7) and right now is being heavily influenced by the evil spirit world (Revelation 12:9; Ephesians 2:2).

Daniel, the prophet, recorded the solution to man’s leadership problem. He wrote about a time when mankind will be ruled by a different kingdom and by a different people.

“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people;” (Daniel 2:44)

Revelation 11:15 tells us that the King of the coming kingdom is Jesus Christ, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Daniel further wrote that “the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (7:22). Paul stated that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). These verses tell us that the coming Kingdom of God will not be ruled by human beings, but by Jesus Christ and the spirit-born sons of God.

When we inherit the Kingdom, when we become the literal spirit-born sons of God, how will we rule? What characteristics of our rule will bring about the wonderful conditions forecast for the coming millennial age?

Rule with Right Motive

Rulers in the Kingdom of God will rule with the right motive. For 6000 years the fundamental motivation of leaders and rulers at all levels - in government, business, organizations, and families - has been selfish. Human leaders have craved power, prestige, and riches - and some have even wanted to be worshipped. The apostles James and John evidently were bitten with this bug of wanting to be at the very top in the Kingdom of God. They wanted to sit at Christ’s left hand and right hand in the Kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). When conflict arose between the apostles over this issue, Christ took it as an opportunity to teach them what their – and our - real motive should be in leading and ruling.

Matthew 20:25-28

²⁵ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

In the Kingdom of God, the rulers’ hearts will be right. When we rule, we will not be oppressive “lords”; we will not be seeking our own power, riches or fame. Instead, our rule will be characterized by serving and giving.

Rule with Right Purpose

Rulers in the Kingdom of God will rule with the right purpose. Our purpose will not be walking about as mighty potentates, making sure our subjects are bowing before us and serving us. Our purpose will not be about the “Mighty Me” – my power, my wealth, my ideas, my agenda. Instead, our purpose will be what God’s purpose is – that of “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). Everything we do will be pointed toward that goal. Our actions will be focused on encouraging and helping those we are responsible for so they will develop the very character and nature of God and can become members of the family of God.

Rule with Truth

In the Kingdom of God, we will rule with truth. In this world, a leader needs to know the laws of his nation. Unfortunately, the governments of man are filled with laws, and year after year more and more new laws are passed. The European Union’s system of laws consists of over 80,000 pages of rules and regulations – in excess of 20 million words. What man can administer such an unwieldy code? Realistically, no human could ever know all those laws. In contrast, God’s basic code of laws for us and for His Kingdom is quite simple. It consists of 10 commandments – one column of one page in the Bible and only 322 words. Today, God is training us in the use of His Law. Every day we are administering that law in our personal lives. If we learn how to use the Law in the midst of Satan’s world, we should know how to use it as kings in the Kingdom of God.

Deuteronomy 17 records an expectation for the kings of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

¹⁸ "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, ... ¹⁹ And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, ²⁰ that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, …

The minds of rulers in the Kingdom will contain the truth. Today that truth is being written in our hearts and minds as we are being prepared for kingship in the Kingdom of God. We will not need a book containing the law to carry around with us. The Law of God and the way of God will be written into our “spiritual DNA” (Jeremiah 31:31-33). When the minds of the rulers are filled with truth, real freedom will come for all mankind (John 8:32). No longer will mankind suffer from the oppressive rule of deceived leaders.

Rule with Love

In the Kingdom of God, we will rule with love. The Bible tells us that “God is love” (I John 4:8, 16). As His children, we also will be filled with the spirit of love. Our behaviors and actions will reflect the nature of our Father. Every action of kings and priests in the kingdom will reflect the fruit of the Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control...

Rulers in the Kingdom of God will administer the Law with love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Kings will be longsuffering, show faithfulness, and promote peace.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful today if our President and congressional leaders were filled with a spirit of peace and kindness and gentleness and self-control? In the millennium, when love, compassion, and tender mercies flow from the rulers, this world will be transformed. There will be no more fear of those in charge, just deep trust. When people are able to trust those who guide them, they will feel secure and stable. Mental and emotional problems will fade away when the world is filled with leaders who rule with love.

When the saints possess the kingdom, the rulership of this world will be changed forever. In the coming thousand years, we will rule with the right motive, the right purpose, and with truth and love. Solomon wrote: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…” (Proverbs 29:2).

The Kingdom of God will be a glorious kingdom bringing liberty to the whole creation (Romans 8:21) because the rulers of that Kingdom will know how to rule! May that day of righteous rulers come soon!

Message given on October 3, 2009 at the Feast of Tabernacles in New Braunfels, Texas.

Wearing Out the Saints

We live in trying times. Rarely can we pick up a newspaper, logon to the Internet, or tune in the evening news and find some piece of good news. The economy is down; the homosexual lobbyists are howling at a high pitch; and contentious politicians are constantly vilifying their opponents and lying. Then, there is the fear of war, terrorist attacks, and disease epidemics. The constant barrage of bad news can wear us all down. Sadly, the bad news we see today is child’s play compared to what is on the horizon. The Bible tells us that there is coming a time when the saints of the Most High will be worn out.

Daniel 7:25

He [referring to the little horn associated with the fourth beast] shall speak pompous words against the Most High,

Shall persecute^* [literally wear out] the saints of the Most High,

And shall intend to change times and law.

Then the saints shall be given into his hand

For a time and times and half a time.

The NKJV of the Bible says the saints of the Most High will face a time of persecution from the little horn at the time of the end. Most translations use the literal meaning, “wear out.” According to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, the Hebrew word (1080 in Strong’s Concordance) means to “wear away, out… [and is] figurative for harass continually….” Strong’s Concordance points out that this wearing out refers to mental affliction.

Have you ever been harassed? Have you ever been besieged by constant and persistent threats and demands? Living under the threat of abuse or something bad happening will literally wear a person out. A few verses earlier, Daniel recorded this statement:

Daniel 7:21-22

²¹ "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, ²² until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

When will these events occur? Are there other scriptures that help clarify our understanding of this time when the saints are worn out?

Though we may feel worn out right now by life’s events, we have to admit that the Church of God has not really faced severe persecution for a long time. The language of verse 21 indicates that the horn – which represents the great false religious power behind the end time resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire – will make war against the saints until the coming of the Ancient of Days. The severe persecution will last for 3½ years and will end when Christ returns and the saints possess the Kingdom.

Daniel wrote further about this time in Daniel 12.

Daniel 12:7

Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered [dashed to pieces, destroyed], all these things shall be finished.

During this three and a half year period, the power of the people of God will be completely destroyed and then it will all be over. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ told the disciples that there would come a time when true believers would be hated for their beliefs.

Matthew 10:22-23

22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. …before the Son of Man comes.

A time is coming when members of the Church of God will be hated, literally detested, pursued and persecuted. The word for “hate” in this verse is not referring to just your regular everyday hatred. Church members will be looked upon with extreme and intense dislike and hostility. People will feel disgust at us and treat us maliciously for no justifiable reason. Christ pointed out that the result of these hostile feelings will be overt persecution impelling us to flee.

In Revelation 12, this time is spoken of in more detail.

Revelation 12:7, 9-17

⁷ And war broke out in heaven: … ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

The time being referred to is right before the final end time events. Verse 11 jumps ahead to the end of the story and offers encouragement. The indication is that God’s people hold on and overcome; they endure the persecution and harassment even to the point of death.

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Satan’s wrath is intensified because he knows his time is short.

¹² Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

Verse 13 comes back to the time of Satan being cast out of heaven.

¹³ Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

At the time Satan is cast down, the entire church will suffer persecution. The Greek word for “persecuted” indicates that Satan will come after church members with such harassment and persecution that we will have to flee (see Thayer’s on Greek 1377: dioko). What is the result?

¹⁴ But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.

After suffering some persecution, part of the church is taken to a place away from the Devil for 3½ years. There, God cares for, nourishes and feeds His people. Verse 17 goes back to the time of extreme persecution that Daniel wrote of.

¹⁷ And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.^*

Those left behind will suffer the real brunt of Satan’ wrath carried out by the beast power mentioned in Revelation 13:7, “It was granted to him [the beast power] to make war with the saints and to overcome them.”

A warning is given in Revelation 14 that applies to everyone on earth, but especially to those in the Church who are suffering through the severe persecution.

Revelation 14:9-10, 12-13

⁹ Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰ he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. …¹² Here is the patience of the saints; here are those* who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. ¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,* "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

Though the Bible indicates that there are very tough times ahead for some in the Church of God, there is good news for those who endure and stand fast and faithful to God’s way of life.

Revelation 20:4

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a* thousand years.

Whether we are in a place of protection or in the midst of the greatest persecution ever known, we can take comfort in the promises of God. If we hold firm in our beliefs and commitment, we will receive what God has offered to us – entrance into the Kingdom of God and being a king and priest under Jesus Christ. Though we may be worn out in this life now and in the years ahead, there will be a time when we are worn out no more!

The Accompanying Signs

Recently a minister who once was part of the Global Church of God accused the Living Church of God of becoming Pentecostal. I have never seen anyone whooping and hollering, jumping and gyrating, or handling snakes and speaking gibberish, so I am not sure what he based his accusation on. The only possible basis is Mr. Meredith’s statements in the Word Ahead of February 19 calling for a church-wide fast. In that publication, Mr. Meredith mentioned the need for God to intervene and heal many in the church who are suffering and the need for the “accompanying signs” mentioned in Mark 16.

What does the Bible say about signs and miracles? Were they ever performed by God’s servants? Is it realistic to expect that the “accompanying signs” be performed today?

The Great Commission

Recorded in the Gospel of Mark is an account of instructions Christ gave to the remaining eleven disciples after His death and resurrection – instructions which are known as “The Great Commission.”

Mark 16:15-18, 20

¹⁵ And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow [“accompany” in most modern translations] those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."… ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

These verses, along with the parallel passage in Matthew 28, clearly show that the disciples of Christ are commanded to preach the gospel and baptize believers. Mark recorded Christ’s statement that there are signs that will follow, or accompany, those who believe. Verse 20 indicates that the disciples did as they were told and that Christ confirmed the message they preached through these accompanying signs: healing the sick, casting out demons, speaking foreign languages, and not being hurt by deadly poisons or serpents.

What does it mean?

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the word “sign” means “… that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and known.” A sign makes something or someone known. It gets attention. Thayer’s further states that the word is used when speaking of “miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him.” Vines Expository Dictionary indicates that the word depicts “miracles and wonders as signs of divine authority.” These signs show who God’s servants are and who the real God is. Further, they are done under God’s authority to “confirm the word.” The signs establish and confirm the gospel message; they prove the word’s “truth and divinity” (Thayer’s).

Biblical Examples of Signs and Miracles

The gospel accounts by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record numerous instances of Christ healing the sick and casting out demons. Performing these very real miracles was an integral part of Christ’s ministry and work while on earth. They were signs that accompanied His preaching and teaching. After His ascension to heaven, the disciples assembled to observe Pentecost. As Christ had promised, they were given power from on high – the gift of the Holy Spirit. That event was accompanied by the disciples speaking in various foreign languages, fulfilling what Christ had told them (Mark 16:17). In his sermon to the assembled crowd on that holy day, Peter said:

Acts 2:22, 43

²² "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know… ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

The miracles Christ did gave clear evidence that God was working through Him and that He was sent by God. The signs and wonders demonstrated that the message He preached was the truth. The miracles got people’s attention. They encouraged people to come out and listen to the message that Christ preached. The signs showed that there were wonderful benefits and blessings associated with the gospel message. The healings and miracles that occurred were certainly good news to those who had suffered from various illnesses and infirmities. They gave an emphatic illustration that the truth of God brings reasons to rejoice, spiritually and physically. Verse 43 indicates that the apostles continued in the same work as Christ: “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Throughout the book of Acts are a number of accounts of miraculous healings. In Acts 19, it is recorded that God powerfully used Paul to relieve the suffering of the sick and demon-possessed.

Acts 19:11-12

¹¹ Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

One account (Acts 28:3) tells of Paul having a viper fasten on his hand, yet he was unharmed.

A Complete Message

David wrote in Psalm 103 that the forgiveness of our sins and the healing of all our diseases are benefits and blessings from God. The gospel message is about how our lives can be made better now in the flesh and eternally in the Kingdom of God. In the book of Hebrews, Paul wrote that signs and wonders are part of the message of salvation. Christ spoke about this salvation, as did His followers. God used signs and wonders to bear witness that the message was true.

Hebrews 2:3-4

³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ⁴ God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

In verse 4, Paul says there two ways that God bears witness: 1) signs, wonders, and miracles, and 2) gifts of the Spirit. The four Gospels and the book of Acts record numerous instances of signs, wonders and miracles. Here Paul indicates that gifts of the Spirit are also indicators of those through whom God is working. What are some of the gifts of the Spirit? I Corinthians 12 talks of various gifts that come from the manifestation of the Spirit of God in His servants.

1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 7 -11

¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts... ⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom … the word of knowledge … ⁹ faith … gifts of healings … ¹⁰ … the working of miracles, … prophecy, … discerning of spirits, … different kinds of tongues, … the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

These gifts are for the profit and benefit of all. The preaching of wisdom and knowledge brings spiritual benefits to the hearers, just as miraculous healings bring physical benefits to the afflicted. Yet, in chapter 13, Paul makes the point that all of those gifts are inferior to the love that comes from the indwelling of God’s Spirit. The greatest spiritual gift is love. Christ had previously indicated that love is another sign of His disciples: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Signs, miracles, and wonders have accompanied God’s servants down through the ages. God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and used plagues and miracles to demonstrate to the Egyptians and the Israelites who the real God is. In the days of Elijah, God sent a fire down to burn up a drenched offering, clearly demonstrating to the Israelites and the prophets of Baal that He was the real God. Christ and the apostles performed signs and miracles. At the end of the age, the two witnesses will stop the rain and strike the earth with plagues. Signs, wonders and miracles that come from God are not an indication that a church is Pentecostal. They demonstrate God’s awesome power and are an indication of the true servants of God. The miracles confirm the true gospel message that is preached. Christ encouraged the disciples on Passover night with this message:

John 14:12

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

The day of signs, wonders, and miracles did not cease with Christ and the apostles. We can be encouraged and know for a certainty that they are accompanying signs of those who believe and preach the gospel message through the ages.