Introduction

It’s important to realise that tongues, miracles, signs and wonders are described in the bible as having more than one purpose.  For example, as an essential element of the gospel of the kingdom, miracles identified Jesus as the Messiah. Healings also prepared the early Jewish believers for their role as priests in the promised kingdom. 

Churches who try to model their statements of faith and practice around the so-called “New Testament Church”, expect to be empowered with gifts of healing, tongues, prophecy, wisdom etc., just like the early Jewish believers. This has a number of serious consequences. So it is our goal, in this study, to present the scriptural reasons why tongues, signs and wonders, were necessary; for specific purposes. 

For example, the Bible shows the critical importance of miricales, tongues, signs and wonders in the gospel of the kingdom, preached by Christ and his twelve disciples. Rightly dividing the word of truth also enables us to see that God’s granting of signs and wonders was necessary in Paul’s early ministry; to authenticate the revelation of the mystery to the early church, and to provoke to jealousy, the Jewish remnant according to the election of grace.

By looking at when, and why, the gifts of new prophetic revelation, tongues, and words of knowledge, were done away with, we should be able to see what Paul calls the “more excellent way” for this age of grace, and to explain why tongues, miracles, signs and wonders are not for the church today.  

Finally, reinforced with scriptural understanding of God’s purpose for tongues, miracles, signs and wonders, we should be able to discern who is behind those “last-days, perilous-times” equivalents of Jannes and Jambres, from whom we are instructed to turn away, because they use their imitation of God’s miraculous signs to resist the truth of the gospel. 

New Testament Signs and Wonders

Because of a failure to righty divide the word of truth, most of Christianity is taught that the Old Testament is for Israel and the New Testament is for the church.  This mistake creates confusion about how a person can be saved, and it gives rise to many questions including whether or not similar miracles and healings, to those described in association with the gospel of the kingdom, should be expected as operating through the church today.  

There are two straightforward reasons why miracles were performed by Jesus Christ and his 12 Apostles:

1. To identify Jesus as the prophesied Messiah
2. To prepare the nation of Israel for their role as a kingdom of priests and holy nation unto God
   Identifying Jesus as the Christ

Regarding identification of Jesus as the Messiah, there are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, given so that the Jews would recognise him when he came to earth.  All they had to do was search the scriptures and observe the miracles performed by Christ.  He answered the Jews who sought to kill him, in John chapter 5, as follows:

• Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Here are a few examples of healing as fulfilment of prophecy, identifying Jesus as the Christ.

• Mat 8:16-17  When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:  (17)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
• Joh 12:37-38  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  (38)  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
• Mat 4:23-24  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  (24)  And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
• Mat 9:35  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

In the Bible, we can read both the Old Testament  Messianic prophecies, and their New Testament fulfilment in Christ’s life, preaching, miracles, death burial and resurrection.  So, today, we don’t need signs and wonders to prove Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

Miracles and healings were not just to fulfil prophecies concerning Christ, identifying him as the Jewish Messiah, but also to prepare the nation for priesthood.

Preparing Israel to be a kingdom of priests (without blemish)

God promised those in Israel who would obey his voice and keep his covenant, that they would become a kingdom of priests.

• Exo 19:5-6  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:  (6)  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
• Isa 61:6  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

This promise was reaffirmed by Peter to the Jewish believers in Christ, scattered abroad.

• 1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Preparation of the Jewish nation as a kingdom of priests, according to the Aaronic priesthood, required them to be without blemish.

• Lev 21:18-21  For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,  (19)  Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,  (20)  Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;  (21)  No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

So, as Christ went about preaching the gospel of the coming kingdom, in which Jewish believers would be priests, he also healed all manner of disease.

• Mat 8:16  When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
• Mat 12:15  But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

He gave the same instruction and power to his 12 disciples, to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness and disease.

• Mat 10:1  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
• Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
• Luk 10:9  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Israel did not repent as a nation and so the healings stopped.  We are not Israel and therefore the miraculous healings performed by Christ and his apostles are not something that applies to the church today. 

Signs and wonders in Paul’s ministry

What about tongues, signs and the miracles which God wrought by Paul and Barnabas, and which he gave to the early members of the body of Christ?   Four reasons are given, none of which apply today:

1. Paul’s ministry was to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  This required signs. (1Co 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom).
2. His ministry to gentiles was accepted by Jewish kingdom believers, including the elders at Jerusalem, because it was accompanied by miracles and wonders (Act 15:12; Act 21:19-20)
3. God granted mighty signs and wonders to give testimony to the unsearchable mysteries that had been kept secret until revealed to Paul. (Act 14:3)
4. A diversity of gifts of the Spirit were given to the early churches, to profit them all as they became established, not having the completed word of God, as we have today. (1 Cor 14:12)

To the Jew first (requiring signs)

The desire of Paul’s heart and his prayer to God was that Israel might be saved.  He understood and preached to a remnant of Israel, according to the election of grace, provoking them to jealousy through the salvation that had come to the Gentiles.

• Rom 10:1-2  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  (2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
• Rom 11:4-5  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.  (5)  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
• Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
• Rom 11:13-14  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:  (14)  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Paul’s ministry in the gospel of Christ was to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

• Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

As his manner was, Paul went in unto to the Jews and reasoned with then out of the scriptures:

• Act 17:1-3  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  (2)  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,  (3)  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

In preaching Christ crucified to the Jews, they required a sign.  Otherwise, Christ would be their stumbling block or rock of offence.

• 1Co 1:22-23  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
• Rom 9:33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Therefore, the working of miracles, signs and wonders were very important aspects of Paul’s early ministry:

• Act 19:10-12  And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  (11)  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:  (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. 

The purpose was clear: God granted those signs and wonders as testimony to the fact that the words spoken by Paul and his fellow workers in the gospel, were from God.

• Act 14:2-3  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.  (3)  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Tongues were for a sign to the unbelieving Jews.

• 1Co 1:22-24  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

It was a fulfilment of prophecy that the Jews would be spoken to, by men of other tongues.  Therefore, tongues were for a sign to those Jews who believe not.

• 1Co 14:21-22  In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.  (22)  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

It was through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, that the newly revealed gospel of Christ was preached by Paul.

• Rom 15:18-19  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,  (19)  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

In challenging the Galatians regarding their turning away from the truth of the gospel of Christ, back to the law, he reminded them of the miracles he worked among them

• Gal 3:5  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

We are not the Jewish remnant according to the election of grace, nor do we need signs and wonders to authenticate the gospel message.  Thank God, we have his complete word, perfectly preserved.
To authenticate Paul’s ministry to the gentiles

Paul and Barnabas went up to meet with the apostles and elders of the Jewish church at Jerusalem, in Acts 15, about the question on whether or not new believers needed to be circumcised to be saved.  Declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles, was very much a part of their communication to these Jewish elders (who required a sign).

• Act 15:4  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
• Act 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Paul succeeded in persuading the council at Jerusalem that his ministry to the uncircumcision was ordained by God.  They saw that the same Spirit that wrought effectually in Peter to the circumcision was mighty in Paul toward the Gentiles.

• Gal 2:7-9  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  (8)  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)  (9)  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

There is no council of Jewish apostles and elders for us to persuade, and our ministry is validated according to its adherence to scripture, not according to a display of mighty signs and wonders.

To verify unsearchable mysteries and secrets

Paul taught mysteries that were revealed to him directly by Christ but had previously been kept secret.  He preached Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but which could be found in the scriptures of the prophets.

• Rom 16:25-26  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

He also taught unsearchable mysteries of Christ which in other ages were not made known, but were being revealed to Paul, not from the scriptures, but by the Spirit.

• Eph 3:4-5  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
• Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

God granted signs and wonders as evidence or testimony to the authenticity of Paul’s new teaching.

• Act 14:1-3  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.  (2)  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.  (3)  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

There is no new revelation today, as the perfect word of God is complete.  Although we also preach Christ according to the revelation of the mystery and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, we do not need signs and wonders to authenticate our message, as it is found in the preserved word of God. 

For the establishment of the church

Gifts of the Spirit, as well as the offices or administrations which God gave, served an important purpose for the early church, during a time when secrets and mysteries were being revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, prior to the completion of the scriptures.  

These early believers did not have the completed word of God, as we have today, so they needed the ability to discern spirits and they needed accompanying manifestation of the Spirit in gifts of tongues, healing and miracles to authenticate that new revelations of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy were indeed from God.   

For this reason, God gave individuals within the early church certain gifts of the Spirit and he set administrations (diakonia- meaning servants or ministerial offices), so that they might all profit.

• 1Co 12:4-11  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  (5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  (6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  (7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  (8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  (9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  (10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  (11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 
• 1Co 12:27-28  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  (28)  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Absence of signs and healing in Paul’s later ministry

Rather than all being healed, as was the case in Christ’s ministry, or having special miracles that God wrought by the hands of Paul in his early ministry, things were much different by the end of his ministry.  At that time, even saints who were fellow workers in the ministry with Paul, were left unhealed.  

• 1Ti 5:23  Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
• 2Ti 4:20  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Prophecies were going to fail (to be (rendered) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively: - abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void).  The same would be the case for gifts of tongues and words of knowledge, they would also cease and vanish away.

• 1Co 13:8-10  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

This cessation of tongues, healing miracles, words of knowledge and new prophetic revelation, took place near the end of Paul’s life.  In writing to the Ephesians from his Roman prison, when Paul listed God’s provision for the perfecting of the saints, work of the ministry and edifying of the body of Christ, he no longer mentions miracles or gifts of healings.

• Eph 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  

The next signs and wonders to expect, according to the bible, are prophesied in the book of Revelation; miraculous signs from God, miracles performed by the two witnesses, miracles performed by devils, the antichrist and the false prophet.  We are not living in those times, and the church, the body of Christ, will already have been caught up to heaven, prior to the commencement of the great tribulation, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. 

Signs and wonders today hinder the gospel

Just as Jannes and Jambres imitated miracles performed by Moses, to resist the word of God, Paul warns that in the last days there will be people who, while having a form of godliness, will be lovers of their own selves and who will use miracles to both resist the truth and to lead others captive so that, while ever learning they are unable to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

• 2Ti 3:1-9  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Those who work and teach miracles in these last days, generally appeal to what they claim to be supporting scripture in the gospels and early Acts period.  The consequence is that in teaching tongues, miracles, healings etc., they also teach the accompanying doctrines associated with the gospel of the kingdom for Israel, like the need to repent, be baptized, and keep the commandments to inherit eternal life.  These doctrines are contrary to the only means of salvation today, the gospel which Christ revealed to the apostle Paul.

While these “men of corrupt minds” may occasionally refer to miracles performed by Paul, they fail to teach that those miracles were given by God as testimony to the truth of the gospel of Christ.  As a result, their congregations and hearers are blinded, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine on them.

• 2Co 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Conclusions

Like most false doctrine, the impact of teaching signs and wonders as being for the church today, is that it hinders the gospel of Christ.  Passages of scripture which describe the manifestation and use of signs and miracles, also describe requirements for salvation that are contrary to the gospel of our salvation, which Christ revealed to the apostle Paul for this age of grace.  

By failing to rightly divide the word of truth, a consequence is that preachers typically add to, and therefore nullify, the simple gospel of salvation by grace, through faith in Christ's death burial and resurrection as payment for all sins.

Scripture is very clear in stating that any other gospel than that which Christ revealed to Paul, is not another gospel at all, for this age of grace.  

• Galatians 1:6-8 KJV  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Signs and wonders recorded in the bible were real, but they had intended specific purposes that do not apply today.  

In association with the gospel of the kingdom, the purpose of signs, wonders and miraculous healings was:

1. to identify Jesus as the Christ and 
2. to prepare Israel as a nation of priests, without blemish.  

In Paul’s early ministry God granted mighty signs and miracles to be worked by Paul and his fellow workers in the gospel, as testimony unto the word of his grace. God’s purpose was to authenticate the gospel which he had previously kept secret since the world began.  As it was uniquely revealed by Christ to Paul, he calls it “my gospel”, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.  

• Rom 16:25-27  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  (27)  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. 

Unlike us, the original hearers of the gospel of Christ did not have the completed word of God, so they needed to both search the Old Testament scriptures, and have assurance that what Paul preached was not after man, but by revelation of Jesus Christ.

• Gal 1:11-12  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This gospel of the grace of God contained riches that were unsearchable in the scriptures, riches concerning the fellowship of the mystery that had previously been kept secret and hid in God.  

• Eph 3:8-12  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  (9)  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  (10)  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  (11)  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  (12)  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Thank God, now we have his perfect completed word and therefore no longer require signs and wonders to authenticate new revelations.  We no longer see as through a glass, darkly but can read the whole counsel of God in his perfect preserved word which will never fail.  The more excellent way which Paul showed the Corinthians, was charity; God’s love manifest in the truth of the gospel of Christ.

• 1Co 13:8-10  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Knowing that those who teach signs and wonders today, resist the truth of the gospel, we are instructed “from such, turn away”.