Miracles are supernatural events that demonstrate God’s power and authority. The Bible records many miracles performed by God, Jesus, and others through the power of the Holy Spirit. These miracles reveal God’s love, mercy, and desire to free people from suffering, death, and the powers of darkness. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore some of the most well-known miracles described in the Bible.
Introduction
The Bible contains many dramatic examples of miracles from the Old Testament through the New Testament. These supernatural acts of God accomplished specific purposes in the lives of people and in carrying out God’s redemptive plan. Miracles revealed God’s power over nature, evil spirits, illness, and death. They validated the authority of God’s messengers. Miracles also displayed God’s mercy and care for those in need.
Here are some key takeaways about miracles in the Bible:
- Miracles demonstrate God’s power, love, and redemptive purposes.
- God, Jesus, and others performed miracles to help and heal people.
- Miracles validated the divine authority and message of God’s servants.
- The greatest miracle is the salvation God offers through faith in Jesus.
In this post, we will focus on examples of miracles from the Old Testament, Jesus’s miracles, apostolic miracles in Acts, and God’s ongoing miraculous works. These accounts reveal the amazing miraculous power of God throughout history.
Old Testament Miracles
The Old Testament records many miracles as signs of God’s power and presence among His people Israel. Here are some notable examples:
The 10 Plagues on Egypt
In Exodus 7-12, God unleashed 10 supernatural plagues on Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. This included turning the Nile River to blood, bringing frogs, flies, hail, locusts, and more. These unprecedented events revealed God’s power over nature and the impotence of Egypt’s gods. After the 10th and most terrible plague, the death of the firstborn males, Pharaoh finally relented and let God’s people go.
“And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. So they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.” (Exodus 8:13-14 NKJV)
The Parting of the Red Sea
Under Moses’ leadership, God parted the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh’s pursuing army (Exodus 14). God swept the sea back over the Egyptian army, destroying them. This miracle demonstrated God’s power over nature and salvation for His people.
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.” (Exodus 14:21 NKJV)
Water from the Rock
In the wilderness, God commanded Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water to sustain the complaining, thirsty Israelites (Exodus 17:1-7). God repeated this miracle later to again provide water (Numbers 20:2-13). This miracle displayed God’s provision for His people.
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:6 NKJV)
The Fall of Jericho
When Joshua led Israel to conquer Canaan, the walled city of Jericho stood in their way. God directed Joshua to have the Israelites march around Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around 7 times as 7 priests blew trumpets. When they finished, the people shouted, and the walls miraculously collapsed (Joshua 6:1-20). This event showed God’s power to deliver Canaan to Israel.
So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. (Joshua 6:20 NKJV)
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
The prophet Elijah proposed a contest on Mt. Carmel to show the powerlessness of the pagan god Baal next to the true God of Israel (1 Kings 18:16-40). Elijah had prophets of Baal try unsuccessfully all day to call fire down on their sacrifice. Elijah then soaked his sacrifice and the altar with water and called upon the Lord, who sent fire to burn up the sacrifice, altar, and water. This miracle displayed God’s supremacy over false gods.
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. (1 Kings 18:38 NKJV)
Miraculous Births
God enabled several barren women in the Old Testament to give birth to important figures by opening their wombs. This included the births of Isaac to Sarah (Genesis 21:1-7), Jacob and Esau to Rebekah (Genesis 25:21-26), and Samson to Manoah’s wife (Judges 13). These miraculous conceptions demonstrated God’s provision of heirs and leaders for His people.
And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (Genesis 21:1-2 NKJV)
Preservation of Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for refusing to stop praying to God (Daniel 6). God sent angels to shut the lions’ mouths, sparing Daniel, who said God had preserved him. This miracle confirmed that Daniel’s prayers were heard and that God can protect His servants from harm.
My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you. (Daniel 6:22 NKJV)
Jonah and the Great Fish
Jonah attempted to flee his mission to preach to Nineveh by sailing away. God sent a storm, and the sailors threw Jonah overboard (Jonah 1:4-16). God provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah and keep him alive for three days and nights until it vomited him up (Jonah 1:17). This unusual miracle delivered both Jonah and Nineveh.
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17 NKJV)
These examples reveal God’s miraculous power on display as He formed and led the nation of Israel. Through miracles, God showed His superiority, accomplished redemption, and cared for His people in the Old Testament era.
Miracles Performed by Jesus Christ
The Gospels record over 30 specific miracles performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry. These miracles revealed Christ’s divine authority and mercy as He ushered in the kingdom of God. Here are some notable miracles Jesus performed:
Changing Water to Wine
At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turned over 120 gallons of water into fine wine when the hosts ran out of wine (John 2:1-11). This miracle was described as the first sign of Jesus’s glory and power.
This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (John 2:11 NKJV)
Healing of Nobleman’s Son
A royal official asked Jesus to come heal his dying son. Instead, Jesus spoke and said the son would live. The man believed and found his son healed (John 4:46-54). This miracle displayed Jesus’ authority to heal from a distance.
Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. (John 4:50 NKJV)
Feeding the 5000
A massive crowd gathered to hear Jesus, and He multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the entire multitude of over 5000 people (Matthew 14:13-21). This miracle revealed Jesus’ divine ability to create abundance.
So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:20-21 NKJV)
Walking on Water
Jesus walked on the water across the Sea of Galilee to meet His disciples in a boat during a storm (Matthew 14:22-33). Peter briefly walked on the water too before fear caused him to sink. This miracle showed Jesus’ authority over the laws of nature.
And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:29 NKJV)
Healing a Man Born Blind
Jesus healed a beggar blind from birth by making clay with His saliva to spread on the man’s eyes (John 9:1-11). When the man washed away the clay, he could see. This extraordinary healing confounded Jesus’ critics.
He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25 NKJV)
Raising Lazarus from the Dead
Lazarus was deceased for 4 days before Jesus commanded him to come out of the tomb, fully restored to life (John 11:1-44). This astonishing resurrection proved Jesus’ power over death itself.
And when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44 NKJV)
Healing Woman with Issue of Blood
A woman who suffered constant bleeding for 12 years touched Jesus’ garment and was instantly healed (Luke 8:43-48). Jesus sensed power had gone out of Him. This healing demonstrated His miraculous power, even accessed through only His clothing.
And Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. (Luke 8:46-47 NKJV)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently used His miraculous power to heal sickness and infirmity, restore life, calm storms, provide abundantly, cast out demons, and defy the laws of nature. He wielded this power with love and compassion to relieve suffering and point people to faith in God.
Miracles in the Book of Acts
The book of Acts records how God continued to work miracles through the apostles and early church by the Holy Spirit’s power after Jesus’ ascension. These miracles validated their testimony about Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel message. Here are some examples:
Lame Man Healed
Peter healed a man lame from birth by calling on the name of Jesus Christ and taking him by the hand (Acts 3:1-10). This miracle gave Peter an opportunity to preach the Gospel at the Temple.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6 NKJV)
Ananias and Sapphira
This husband and wife lied to the apostles about offering their full profits to God and died on the spot when confronted by Peter (Acts 5:1-11). This dramatic judgment revealed the seriousness of sinning against God.
But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. (Acts 5:9-10a NKJV)
Stephen’s Miracles
Stephen, one of the first deacons, worked wonders and miracles among people before Jewish leaders seized him (Acts 6:8-15). God empowered the early church for miraculous ministry.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8 NKJV)
Phillip’s Miracles in Samaria
Phillip healed paralytics and cast out demons as he preached Christ in Samaria (Acts 8:4-13). His miracles led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus.
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:6 NKJV)
Peter’s Miraculous Prison Escape
An angel appeared in Peter’s prison cell and supernaturally escorted him outside past guards (Acts 12:1-19). This miracle rescue emboldened the church to pray fervently.
Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. (Acts 12:7 NKJV)
Paul’s Miracles
The Apostle Paul performed many healings and miracles through the Holy Spirit’s power. At Ephesus, handkerchiefs touched by Paul healed the sick (Acts 19:11-12). In Troas, Eutychus was raised from the dead after sleeping during Paul’s long sermon (Acts 20:7-12).
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:12 KJV)
The early church experienced the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost. This included empowerment to continue performing awe-inspiring miracles that helped spread the Gospel message far and wide.
Ongoing Works and Miracles by God
In addition to biblical times, God still works miraculously today. While the frequency and nature of miracles likely differs from biblical events, God still heals, guides, provides, and works in supernatural ways. Here are some ongoing miracles:
- Healings of illnesses and disabilities
- Angelic interventions to protect and rescue
- Supernatural provision in desperate situations
- Stunning answers to prayer
- Dreams and visions that guide unbelievers to faith
- Unusual favor and blessings on ministries
- Changed hearts and transformed lives from faith in Christ
Miracles still reveal God’s wonderful power and love. They act as signs to strengthen faith and point people to Christ. The greatest miracle remains God’s offer of salvation, redemption, and eternal life to all who place their faith in Jesus.
Conclusion
The extensive biblical record of miracles provides inspiring accounts of God’s supernatural power and acts. From the Exodus miracles, Elijah’s exploits, Christ’s ministry, the apostles’ works, and beyond, clearly God demonstrated His authority through miraculous events and divine interventions. These miracles authenticated God’s activity and presence in the world to accomplish His will. While limited today compared to Scripture, God still works miraculous wonders that glorify Him and lead people to salvation in Jesus Christ. Miracles in the Bible provide lasting witness to God’s love and miraculous power.
