Reading the New Testament, it seems that we believers should be able to do authentic miracles. Yet miracles are quite rare. Or nonexistent. Why is that?

OVERVIEW

The Lord Jesus says if you believe in him, you will be able to do signs and miracles like he did. In fact, he says a believer should be able to do even greater signs and miracles than he did.

Thus any Christian believer can and should be able to work miracles.

Jesus provides three elements in the working of a miracle. They are presented as mandatory, not optional, in order for a miracle to be done:

We are to have faith
We are to speak the miracle aloud. We speak directly, not to God, but rather to the problem itself.
We are to believe that the miracle is happening and have no doubt in our heart.

And yet the Christian experience is that miracles are quite rare. Or nonexistent.

Why is that?

Christian believers have spent a lot of time pondering that question. Through the centuries, they have come up with a lot of theories as to why they cannot perform miracles.

Here are the four main theories:

Theory 1. We modern-day Christians don’t have enough Faith

At first glance, this theory seems plausible. The Lord Jesus himself said we must have faith and not doubt.

However, to accept this theory, we must also accept that none of the two billion Christians alive have enough faith to perform miracles.

Theory 2. If we perform Miracles, we will become Arrogant

The theory is that God protects us from arrogance by denying us the ability to perform miracles.

At first glance, this theory seems plausible. Yet it is in contradiction to the teachings of the Lord Jesus (see below).

The Lord Jesus never said anything like this:

You will be able to do miracles unless I prevent it in order to protect you from pride.

Theory 3. The Age of Miracles is Over

The theory is that miracles were only meant to be temporary. Miracles attested to the claims of the apostles. But now that we have the Scriptures and faith, miracles are no longer necessary.

At first glance, this theory seems plausible. Yet it is in contradiction to the teachings of the Lord Jesus (see below).

The Lord Jesus never said anything like this:

You will be only able to do miracles for a few years, and then I will stop them.

Theory 4. Answered Prayer is the Miracle

Many of us have experienced answered prayer. Could our answered prayers be the modern-day version of miracles?

However, most of our answered prayers do not correlate with miracles.

What is a miracle? They are an extraordinary and astonishing event. An impossible thing happens. The Lord Jesus did many acts that were inexplicable by natural or scientific laws.

But for most of us, the things we pray for are not extraordinary nor astonishing:

We pray to do well on a test
Aunt Minnie prays that her hangnail heals
The athlete prays to score a touchdown

When those things happen, we are elated! We become convinced that God answers prayer.

And yet those things are of the realm of the ordinary. Fulfilling them is generally within our own human powers.

Tossing a mountain into the sea? Mere human power cannot do that. It is a miracle.

BIBLE VERSES

Matthew 21:21. Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.

Mark 11:23. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.

Mark 16:17. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

Mark 16:18. they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 14:12. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (NIV translation)

Acts 1:8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 12:10. and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.

1 Corinthians 12:28. God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

RESOURCES

How Many Christians Are In the World Today? by Learn Religions

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.

Should Christians be able to do Miracles?