Unimportance of miracles as proofs in the Bible

Many rose from the dead in both the Old Testament and New Testament so a literal Resurrection would not be a unique miracle

"...the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life."

(Matthew 27:52)

"Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection."

(Hebrews 11:35)

"As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind."

(2 Kings 2:11)

"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army."

(Ezekiel 37:10)

New Testament states anyone of great faith can perform miracles

"To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues."

(1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Note

• Many have been given the power to do miracles and therefore these are not a proof of being a Messiah.

Miracles can even be shown in support of a false prophet

“...false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

(Matt 24:24)

Note

• Of course Bahá’u’lláh discourages the mentioning of His miracles as a proof of His Revelation.
• If someone comes into the room and says “1 + 1 = 3” and then disappears in a puff of smoke, would you then believe 1 + 1 = 3? A miracle is not a proof that every thing one says is true; and a miracle worker is not necessarily a Messiah.

The Pharisees claimed the Miracles of Christ were done by the power of Beelzebub (with a miracle not convincing some the source is godly)

""Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

"But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”"

(Matthew 12:22-24)

Note

• The Pharisees argued that miracles could be performed by Satan and evil powers and miracles as proof could therefore deceive and mislead.

(Isaiah had prophesied that a miracle would not be sufficient proof)

“But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him; it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled...”

(John 12:37-38)

Jesus told the Devil one should not tempt the Lord

“...and (the devil) said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down’ (from the top of the temple) ... and Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, ‘you shall not tempt the Lord your God.’’”

(Matthew 4:1-7)

Note

• The devil asked Jesus to do a miracle to prove His mission and Jesus said to ask for proof of a miracle is wrong. Therefore to ask for a miracle as proof is following the devil’s example.

The Pharisees asked for a sign and Christ replied no sign would be given

“The Pharisees came and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven to test Him. And He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.’”

(Mark 8:11-12)

Note

• Here, Jesus refuses to produce miracle as a proof when Pharisees say this is the proof they seek for belief. Therefore they sought the wrong proof in asking for miracles.
• By testing God and demanding Jesus perform to their standard of miracle working, the Jews missed the Messiah.

Jesus says to believe not because of miracles but because His teaching gives spiritual food and life to the world

“Verily, verily I say unto you, ye shall seek Me, not because ye saw miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto yo u ... So they said to Him, ‘What sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate t he manna in the wilderness’ ...Truly, truly I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the true bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world ...Jesus said to them ‘I am the bread of life.’”

(John 6:26-35)

Paul says the Jews seek a miracle for proof but Paul points out it is Christ’s teachings and His pure sacrifice that are the greater proofs and show the power and wisdom of God

“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

(1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

Note

• Therefore, faith in Christ should not be based on miracles as stated by Christ and Paul. Even the physical Resurrection, whatever rank in comparative miracle working, would not establish that Jesus was the Christ. Therefore, "outward miracles” as physical miracles are not irrefutable proofs of being a Manifestation according to both the Bible and Bahá’í Scripture. The triumph of the Manifestation against all worldly opposition in establishing the Word of God which brings “inner sight, spiritual healing and eternal life” is “absolute proof” (see The fruits are proof).

The real proof of a prophet is His fruits

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

(Matthew 7:15-20

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control."

(Galatians 5:22-23)

See also

• Miracle