God Appointed Miracles 
Expect Miracles
Terry R. Baughman
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
While we may be quick to accept teachers in the church, even apostles and prophets, we may not recognize that miracles are also part of God’s gifts to the church. Actually, in the consecutive order Paul places miracles fourth after apostles, prophets, and teachers. Whether the placement is intentional or not it is noteworthy that miracles are appointed as gifts of God’s provision. Additionally, God appointed healings, helps, administration, and tongues. It seems that God is concerned with the practical as well as the spiritual, with the organization as much as the leadership, and with gifts of the diversity of tongues and healing, added to the working of miracles. 
We readily acknowledge the place of leaders and ministers in the church, but we have not been as quick to expect spiritual gifts and miraculous signs that we cannot explain. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual entity; it is a supernatural force. Therefore, it follows that the gifts God has placed in the church are also spiritual. Though we think of the practical as separate and apart from the gifts of the Spirit, all things contribute to the spiritual leadership and growth of God’s Kingdom. 
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when or where the kingdom of God would appear, He answered that, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation” (Luke 17:20). He further explained that the Kingdom of God is internal. It was not going to be a political force or a geographical authority. The disciples of Jesus asked a similar question after the resurrection, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). He redirected their focus on the intent of the Kingdom, the fulfillment of the commission that He had given them, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 
The disciples embraced the purpose of Christ and the pursuit of His mission. Signs and wonders, miracles, were seen in their ministry as they declared the resurrection of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews said, “God added his witness to theirs. He validated their ministry with signs, astonishing wonders, all kinds of powerful miracles, and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which he distributed as he desired” (Hebrews 2:4 The Passion Translation).
The gifts are God’s appointment. He distributes them as He desires! It is His plan to build up His Kingdom in the earth and it is realized through His church. We are the body and it is God’s purpose to perform miracles in us and through us. When we pray we can pray with the knowledge that God is working right here, right now. We never know when the Sovereign God might just choose to do a miraculous event in our midst. 
We are not the ones to select the recipient or order the healing, yet we can be assured that God is with us and working in our ministries. When we pray for the sick, expect them to be healed. When we lead a person to repentance, expect the Holy Spirit to fill them and see them speak with tongues. When we pray for depression or addictions, know God is present to deliver and transform. Miracles are happening in our midst and we know that anything is possible with God. 
God did not intend for miracles to be marginalized or minimized. Let us proclaim the power of God and the potential for the miraculous to be evident in any worship gathering or whenever the need is present. Know that God is working and expect the unusual and phenomenal performance of God’s miracles. God has placed spiritual gifts in the church and He has appointed … miracles!
Theme passage:
“They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3 NKJV).

Signs Following 
Expect Miracles
Terry R. Baughman
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17–18).

According to the New Testament record, signs and wonders were a frequent occurrence in the ministry of the early church. Many miracles were seen at the hands of the apostles and other believers as they went everywhere declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is no wonder, for Jesus Himself had a miraculous ministry and He gave the promise of signs, miracles, and other phenomena to give evidence for all those who believed in Him and obeyed the commission. 

Immediately after commanding His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” He continued with the above commitment, “These signs will follow those who believe” (Mark 16:15, 17). The indication was that these phenomenal wonders would give attestation to the reality of the message and the power of God to change lives. The miracles of Jesus served the same purpose. Multitudes were drawn to Him because of the miracles, but the Gospel was preached and lives were changed by His message. Jesus came to declare the truth; our purpose is the same. 

Throughout the Book of Acts we see the miracles continue as believers spoke with authority and prayed for transformation. Sick people were healed. Blind eyes were opened and even the dead were restored to life. Again the crowds gathered to hear more about this message of power. The attraction of miracles was never intended to be the ultimate conclusion, but the impetus to bring people into a relationship where the purpose of the resurrection might be revealed in a personal New Birth experience. 

When the seeker came to Jesus to enquire about His ministry, He was quick to point to the way of salvation. Nicodemus came at night to acknowledge His gift, compliment His teaching, and engage in conversation. Jesus was more interested in his conversion. He said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.… You must be born again” (John 3:3, 7). 

While we maintain the importance of the message and the essentiality of declaring the Gospel, we must also embrace the testimony of the supernatural. The message we proclaim is a spiritual message. It is more than facts of history and lectures of philosophy. This message evokes faith in the hearts of hearers and a conversion in their spirit, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Paul also said, “With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

When signs are seen and miracles are witnessed faith leaps to anticipate the power of God to perform personal transformation as well. If God can heal our sick bodies, surely He can restore our broken spirits. If Jesus opens blinded eyes, we know He can bring revelation and light in our dark deception. Since God has restored the dead to life, we know He can raise us in glorious resurrection power at the last day. 

We may have given intellectual assent to miraculous events, but can we claim them now and believe that signs and wonders are still happening? Miracles are in the making and healing is touching those for whom we have prayed. This is the hour when miraculous ministry is being restored to the church. Believers only need to confess the power of God, pray for His divine intervention, and speak words of faith.

Through His name and His authority demons will depart. People will receive the Holy Spirit and spontaneously speak with other tongues. Healing of the sick will become a common occurrence as a result of prayer and danger and disease will be made harmless to believers. Signs will follow those who believe!
​
Theme passage:
“They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3 NKJV).

Look at Us! 
Expect Miracles
Terry R. Baughman
“Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 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 3:4–6 NKJV). 

Mid-afternoon around the Temple was a busy time of day in Jerusalem. It was the hour of prayer. Handicapped individuals gathered along the pathway leading to the Temple. It was a lucrative spot to ask for charity. Those who came for prayers or to worship were usually more inclined to contribute to their welfare. The lame man grew up along this route, for as soon as he was old enough his mother brought him here to spend the days and learn to make his way in the world. Even after all these years and seeing many people and various responses to his requests, he was totally unprepared for what happened when two men approached. 

His script was always the same, “Alms? Alms?” as he reached toward the two intent upon entering the Temple. Frequently, people would just ignore his request and pretend not to hear. Today was different. The two men turn toward him making eye contact and one said, “Look at us!”  The burly man spoke for both of them, “We don't have what you're asking for, but what we have we will give to you!” They had nothing in their hands to offer, but there was a strange authority in his voice. The next statement was more like a command, “In the name of Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 

What can only be described as a hot fire shot through his veins and down through his useless legs. Muscle strength instantly grew and tendons came alive as his bones straighten and strengthened. He couldn’t help himself. He had to jump to his feet and began leaping and shouting in his excitement. Completely and instantly, he was healed from his lifelong limitation. 

Due to the prohibition of the lame from entering the Temple he now had no reason to wait on the outside. He dashed into the place of worship and continued to jump and rejoice. The miracle cannot be stilled or silenced; the declaration of worship is a natural response to a divine operation. 

Though Peter and John had commanded the attention of the lame man, and the  resulting miracle brought the crowd of amazed observers out to see who had caused such an incredible miracle, Peter was quick to give the glory to God for the amazing healing. He gave honor to the resurrected Christ! Peter declared that the miracle came by Jesus, “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know” (Acts 3:16). 

We have the answer for the problems of the world. There is nothing too hard for God and He is willing and able to perform miracles of healings, signs of changed lives, and wonders of provision and spiritual renewals. We, like Peter and John, can say to those in need, “Look at us!” This is not to focus expectation on what we can do, but to bring attention to the God we serve and His incredible power to perform the miraculous. 

When we call out to the desperate, “Look at us,” we don’t have the power to change their lives, but we do know the source of transformation. He lives within us and works through us to perform His will. 
​
What the world looks for is not what we have to give, but what we have is the thing they so desperately need. It is the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and wholeness to every soul. When they look at us, it isn’t so that we can pay their bills, save their marriage and give them a better job, but we do know a resource of strength that will bring all these things to pass. His condition is, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).   
For the needy today, “Look at us!” We don’t have what you want, … but we do have what you need!

Theme passage:
“They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3 NKJV).

Signs and Wonders 
Expect Miracles
Terry R. Baughman
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common” (Acts 2:42-44 NKJV). 
Miracles were as common as fellowship over dinner in the early church. “Many wonders and signs” were seen at the hands of the apostles. As we return to the pattern of the early church of the Book of Acts we will begin to see more of the miraculous in the church.
In these few verses following Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost there are several keys to the success of the early assembly and good instruction for the church of the latter days: 

1. They remained faithful to the teaching they received from the apostles, who were eyewitnesses (and ear-witnesses) of the teaching of Jesus. 
2. They stayed connected through times of fellowship and shared meals. 
3. They continued to pray, even after the week they spent together in the upper room prayer meeting. 
4. The miraculous signs and wonders resulted in fear among those who were on the outside. 
5. The believers experienced great unity of purpose and they willingly shared their possessions with others. 

One of the most viable evidences of God-given authority was the working of miracles. That was a convincing proof to many that Jesus was the Messiah. However, the apostles continued the practice of praying, believing, and as a result, seeing wonderful signs and wonders that were a testament of God’s power working through them. They taught the doctrine they had received and remained faithful to the word of Jesus. 
The power of miracles is not an indication that we should discontinue our teaching of salvation, rather all the more, we must be engaged in countering the culture and preaching the steadfast truth of God’s Word. The unexplained miracle, the sensational sign, or the unexpected outcome all produce the awe of respect and perhaps, the intimation of our own lack of power compared to the limitless glory of God that can work in us continually. 
Early followers prayed for boldness to proclaim the truth of God’s word. When they prayed, the effect could be felt by all and immediately those who had not received the Holy Spirit were filled. (See Acts 4:29-31.) Their prayers for boldness were also granted and they eagerly proclaimed the word of God.
When they prayed, “the place was shaken!” There was obviously a visible, physical response to prayer and the demonstration of the miraculous presence and power of God. May the church today come together in unity to follow the example of the early believers in teaching, prayer, fellowship, and the signs and wonders that God will freely provide. Let’s get ready and expect miracles!
Theme passage:
“They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3 NKJV).