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The Miracles of the Apostles
No.1.
Miracles, Miracles Everywhere.
pp. 145 - 149
In this series we intend, D.5:, to look at each of the miracles of the apostles in detail.
In modern Christendom much is heard about miracles but it seems to be based on the
principle of "picking and choosing". If, and admittedly it is a very big "if", the miracles
of the apostles are in evidence today then all of those miracles should be seen, not just
two or three! Also, close scrutiny of the twentieth century phenomena and a comparison
of them with those spectacular events described in the Acts of the Apostles show that
something is amiss . . . . . but we are getting ahead of ourselves. What exactly is a
miracle? In the King James version (A.V.) two Greek words are translated miracle:
(1) Dunamis
= power, inherent ability, is used of works of a supernatural origin and
character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and
means (Vine).
= power, in the singular, power in the abstract; but in the plural it means
mighty works, i.e. the manifestations of power (Bullinger).
This word comes into English language in such words as dynamo, dynamite and
dynamic, and it occurs some 119 times in the N.T. (10 in Acts) where it is translated:
ability, abundance, meaning, might, mightily, mighty, mighty deed, worker of miracle,
power, strength, violence, mighty work and wonderful work (Strong). A typical usage of
the word is found in Acts 10: 38 where it is translated power.
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power . . . . .".
(2) Semeion
= a sign, mark, token (akin to semaino, to give a sign; sema, a sign), is
used of miracles and wonders as signs of divine authority (Vine).
= a sign. This word has regard to the significance of the work wrought,
whether in itself, or in reason, object, design, and teaching intended
to be conveyed by it (Bullinger).
This word, used chiefly by John, occurs some 77 times in the N.T. (13 in Acts) and is
translated: miracle, sign, token and wonder (Strong). A typical usage of the word is
found in Acts 2: 19 where it is translated signs:
"And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath: blood, and
fire, and vapour of smoke."
The English word miracle, however, comes from the Latin miraculum which means
"a wonder", from the verb mirror, to wonder at. Thus the word miracle should be used,
strictly speaking, to translate the Greek word teras.