The uniqueness of the Bible above every other religious text is not just its high standard but also the miracles spread across both testaments. Miracles have dual purposes. Firstly, they bring relief and solution to people in their predicaments. When medical and human interventions fail, miracles come to the rescue. Despite advances in medical science, there are still incurable diseases. Such diseases can only be handled by the intervention of God through the working of miracles. Secondly, miracles are a means of bringing glory to God. This is the point of emphasis from our text. Peter was responding to the euphoria of the people after the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple. The man was over 40 years of age and had never walked in his life. When he was healed, he jumped and praised the Lord. In the early days of the church when rumours were rife that Jesus had not risen, that miracle was a good way to give glory to the Lord.
“There are people who may never believe unless they see the miraculous power of God. It is about time we called on God to visit His church with authentic miraculous power once again.”
Perhaps we can add a third value of miracles – they stir people’s faith in God. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11 NKJV). When Jesus turned water to wine, two things happened simultaneously. Glory was given to God, and the confidence of the disciples in their Master received a boost. Few things establish the reality of God as the miraculous taking place in His name. There are people who may never believe unless they see the miraculous power of God. It is about time we called on God to visit His church with authentic miraculous power once again.