In John 16, we looked at Jesus preparing the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In this, we studied what Jesus said the Holy Spirit has come to do. This is important, because there are a lot actions attributed to the Spirit today that do not align with the stated purpose of the Spirit’s work. What follows here is a summary of how we see the Spirit’s work in the Bible in a way that helps us to separate what is from God from that which is not (a longer description of all of these points are in this PDF).
THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT’S WORK
The survey of the Biblical text on signs and wonders, reveals to us the purpose of the Spirit in using them. In the Old Testament there was no recorded Word. God was establishing His character and introducing Himself to His people. Specifically, we see:
1. The Signs and Wonders exist to strengthen the faith of His people.
2. The Signs and Wonders exist to separate those who are God’s people from those who are not.
3. The Signs and Wonders were given to bring credence to the Word of the Lord, and to the man who carries it.
4. The Signs and Wonders show the Truth of Yahweh above other gods.
5. The Signs and Wonders are used by God to melt the hearts of men, bringing heart transformation.
The purposes of signs and wonders in the Old Testament are almost entirely replaced by the Word in the New Testament. What I mean is, the tasks that the Signs and wonders are meant to fulfill in the OT, are referred to by the NT as tasks linked to the Word:
1. Scripture exists for the strengthening of the faith (2 Timothy 3.16-17).
2. The Scripture discerns who are God’s and who are not (Matthew 13.11).
3. Scripture contains authority as proceeding from the Spirit (2 Peter 1.21).
4. Scripture is the Truth that distinguishes itself from falsehood (Ephesians 1.13)
5. Scripture convicts and reveals the heart (Hebrews 5.12).
In the New Testament we see additional purposes of Signs and Wonders:
1. To support the messianic claims of Jesus
2. To reveal the character of God
3. To make heavenly ideas understandable
4. To justify the specific instruments that God was using (Apostles, Stephen, Philip)
The purposes of signs and wonders in the New Testament are also applied to the work of the Word:
1. Scripture is given to give first hand account of the Messiah (John 21.24).
2. Scripture is given to reveal the character of God (1 Corinthians 2.6-13).
3. Scripture is given to us to make God knowable (2 Peter 1.12).
4. Scripture is used to judge those who are instruments of God (1 John 4.1-6).
We see that the primary way that God moves in the world is through His Word. The Word of God is not separate from the Spirit, but the Spirit is the means by which people understand the Word; He brings the Word to life. God works as He wills, and so it would be foolish to put limits and boundaries on Him, but it is important to clarify how and why God may use Signs and Wonders, built out of the purposes in Scripture as well as the character of God.
TEST THE SPIRITS
1 John 4.1-6 tells us that we must ‘test the spirits’ to see whether or not they are from God. This is because the existence of miraculous signs does not equal faithful representation. In the Bible we see the magicians of Egypt (Exodus 7-8) performing many of the same plagues as Moses. Paul refers to the work of Satan coming, with all power and false signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2.9). So we know that all signs are not from God. The question becomes: how do we know?
1. Does this sign bring clarity to the revealed Word of God (Ephesians 4.12-13)?
The Word is the primary tool (or weapon) that God uses for His work. Signs and Wonders are always connected to supporting, clarifying, and buttressing God’s revelation, not adding to or confusing it.
2. Does this sign bring glory to Jesus Christ or to the person (John 7.18)?
The glory of the Savior is the focus of Scripture. As soon as we get sidetracked on rituals, even amazing acts, we are drawn away from the true power of God: Jesus Christ Himself.
3. Does this sign confuse the sufficiency of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2.1-5)?
The Bible tells us that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was a once and forever payment for sin. There are no additional works needed to earn God’s favor, including the ability to perform miracles.
4. Does this sign edify others and foster unity in the church (1 Corinthians 12-14)?
In Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12, we see that whenever gifts are mentioned they are always book-ended by verse about love and unity. The gifts are given to build up the body of Christ, so any acts that tear away at this should be avoided.
5. Is the sign accompanied by a life that reveals the presence of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22-25)?
If we view the gifts as some sort of spiritual anointing apart from the gift of the Spirit that all Christians receive, then we can also dismiss all of the verses that declare the work of the Spirit in the heart and mind from those who display supernatural gifts. These are not exclusive. You cannot perform the work of God, without first having a life changed by God.