good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him, and we are

witnesses of these things") being a commentary upon the meaning of the anointing

already noticed in II Cor., the enduement of the apostles in Acts 1: 8, and the close

connection between this "power" and the "miracle" which was its outflowing.

The scientific mind defines a miracle as the suspension of the laws of nature at the

introduction of a higher law. The Scriptural definition seems rather to be that a miracle

was the power of the age to come, brought forward as a pledge and a sign. What will be

normal in that age of glory appears abnormal and supernatural in this. Added to the

signs, wonders and miracles for this special confirmation are "the distributions of holy

spirit". This is described as a taste of the good word of God and the powers of the age to

come. Those who tasted are described as having become partakers of holy spirit

(Heb. 6: 4, 5). Not until the Lord was about to leave His disciples did He say, "Receive

ye holy spirit" (John 20: 22). With this read John 7: 39, "this He spake of the spirit,

which they that believe on Him should receive: for holy spirit was not yet given, because

that Jesus was not yet glorified". I Cor. 12: 8-11 gives a full comment upon the

"distributions of holy spirit". These gifts, however diverse, are the working of that one

and self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. These distributions of

holy spirit covered the ministry of apostles, prophets, teachers, as well as miracles, gifts

of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (I Cor. 12: 28).

Let us notice the explanation of the Scripture as to how the gift of tongues was a sign.

In the law it is written:--

What the law prophesied is foreshowed in the possession and exercise of the

distributions of holy spirit. When the people to whom the signs applied were removed

from the scene, the signs went too. It is often stated, but with no Scriptural proof, that the

miraculous gifts possessed by the early Church have been lost because of the worldliness

and carnality of the Church. The most carnal Church in Scripture is indicated in I Cor.

as the most richly endowed with supernatural gifts.  I Cor. 13: 9-12  indicates a

dispensational change, associated with the passing of the gifts, and this is the testimony

of the whole of the New Testament.

One word in closing seems necessary. The same words that are used of the mighty

works of Christ and His apostles are used of the wicked one, "whose coming is after the

working of Satan, with all power, and signs and lying wonders," the only added word

being lying. This reveals the awful deception which will be thrust upon the earth in the

last days. These miracles constitute the "strong delusion" which shall lead men to

believe the lie. The fact that the false prophet will work actual miracles, and the three

froglike spirits of demons seen in the Revelation will work miracles, should cause us

most carefully to pause before we conclude that the possession of a supernatural power

to-day is an evidence of divine approval.