Signs Following

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!
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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).

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