A study into the gift of miracles in the Bible. We will look at what the working of miracles is and how the believer can use this gift of the Holy Spirit.
When you read the Bible it does NOT lack miracles. From the first page to the very last page we see the miraculous power of our God! And He still performs miracles today.
One of the ways He performs these miracles is through the gift of working of miracles. And we are going to take a look at this incredible gift and hopefully bring some clarity.
Want to learn about all the gifts? Don’t forget to check out the links below!
STUDY THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Click on the links below to learn more…
To make things easier you can use the table of contents below to jump to certain topics or you can scroll through like usual. If you are new the gifts I encourage you to read through it.
- The Gift of Miracles
- My Conclusion and Summarization About the Gift of Working of Miracles
The Gift of Miracles
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NKJV (emphasis added in bold)
When writing on the gifts I thought it might be easier to break up information by answering the 5 W’s. If you are not familiar with the 5 W’s it basically means, who, what, when, where, and why.
The W’s below won’t be in that order but I will answer each one according to the gift of miracles. The only thing to note is at this time I have not added: “when.” I sure hope it makes things clear and easy to digest.
What Is the Gift of Miracles?
The gift of miracles is known as the working of miracles and in 1 Corinthians 12:29 you see individuals called workers of miracles.
The word in Greek for working is energēma it means to operate.
This shows us some insight that this gift doesn’t mean that someone just shows up and miracles happen. But there is a work or an operation that needs to take place. This could mean prayer, fasting, obedience, or other spiritual work.
ἐνέργημα enérgēma, en-erg’-ay-mah; from G1754; an effect:—operation, working.
The word in Greek for miracles is dunamis. This word is used throughout the New Testament as one of the words used to describe POWER. It’s also where we get our word for dynamite.
δύναμις dýnamis, doo’-nam-is; from G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):—ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
The gift of working of miracles is the supernatural ability to pray and see the extraordinary power of God manifested in a situation, person, or people. It moves beyond the natural realm and its laws to accomplish the will of God.
I do want to point something out. All 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit are miraculous in our eyes. But there is a difference between the gift of healing and the working of miracles or prophecy and miracles. If there wasn’t the apostle Paul wouldn’t have stated them differently.
What the Gift of Working Miracles Is Not?
It’s Not Scientific Breakthrough or Surgical Abilities
Medical advancements and scientific breakthroughs are an incredible blessing. And I do believe God opens people’s understanding so that these breakthroughs can happen. But these are not the gift of working of miracles.
Can God use doctors? YES! He will guide them and bless them as they help others. And God will answer the prayers of those asking for the Lord to guide a doctor to bring healing.
And if that doctor is a Christian, he can then operate in many of the gifts of the Spirit, like word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and healing. Talk about awesome!
What Is the Purpose of the Gift of Miracles?
Miracles provide us with breakthrough, deliverance, edification, healing, and more. These testimonies of God’s power and goodness causes the hardest of hearts to soften. It shakes our thinking and draws us closer to God. Miracles are supposed to accompany the preaching of the Gospel.
What Are Some Examples of the Gift of Working of Miracles in the Bible?
The word of God does not lack stories of miracles. We see them everywhere! They show us how miracles work and tell us something very important…
That our God is alive…He’s moving and touching lives!
Here are just a few examples of miracles in the Bible:
- John 2 – Jesus turned the water into wine
- John 11 – Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead
- Matthew 14:13-21 – The multiplication of food
- Acts 19:1-6 – Paul performed extraordinary miracles through handkerchiefs and aprons
- Exodus 14:16 – Many of Moses’ miracles took place by being obedient to the Lord.
Who Is the Gift of Miracles For?
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. – 1 corinthians 14:1
I say this in all my posts on the gifts, but it’s important! The apostle Paul clearly states that we should pursue love (super important) and desire spiritual gifts. That word desire actually means to be zealous or passionate.
When it comes to miracles or workers of miracles we think it’s only for people on the pulpit or those international ministers that travel the world and have huge crusades. But the reality is that Holy Spirit wants to use us too! We can pray for the gift of working of miracles!
I think a great example of the operation of working of miracle is the story from Joyce Smith about the miracle she experienced when she prayed and resurrected her 14-year-old son who fell through the ice at Lake Sainte Louise.
You can read her story in The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection or watch the movie Breakthrough.
Why Is This Gift of Necessary for Today?
I mention this with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But if it was necessary for the church in the past, it’s necessary for us today! This holds true to miracles!
Sooner or later we will all come to a time when we are praying for a miracle. It can be for ourselves, for someone else, or a situation. Miracles are still needed for today and God is a miracle working God! It’s these testimonies that strengthen the church and bring the lost to Jesus!
Where Can I Find It in the Bible?
You can almost read a miracle on every page of the Bible! It’s amazing what God has done in the past and is still doing today!
When it comes to the actual reference of the gift of miracles (or working of miracles) we don’t see it much. Below are some verses about the gift and some references of those were functioning in it. Also, known as workers of miracles.
Bible Verses about the Gift of Miracles
1Co 12:10, 28-29 NKJV – 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another [different] kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. … 28 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. 29 [Are] all apostles? [Are] all prophets? [Are] all teachers? [Are] all workers of miracles?
Act 15:12 NKJV – 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Act 19:11 NKJV – 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
Heb 2:4 NKJV – 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
My Conclusion and Summarization About the Gift of Working of Miracles
The gift of working of miracles is known as one of the power gifts. And I think it’s incredible that the Holy Spirit who is all powerful will use us as a vessel to perform miracles. He is willing to work on us and through us to see transformation happen to those we minister to and ourselves.
Miracles bring revival, soften hearts, and build up the church. We see this in the life and ministry of Jesus and the early church in Acts.
But it’s important to remember that miracles should never be about drawing attention to yourself, to build your platform, or for money. This very thing happened with Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-25.
Miracles should always point and be about God. And He should get 100% of the glory! This is why it’s important that we pursue LOVE first when desiring the gifts of God.
I hope this article has answered some questions and has stirred a hunger within you to pursue the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Feel free to drop me a comment below! It would be great to hear from you and hear what the Lord is doing in your life.
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.
She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. Read More…
Onkgopotse Olateng
Thursday 24th of February 2022
Good day,
First of of all I would like to thank you for the wonderful teachings you give for free about many topics. My main read was on the Gifts of the Holy Spirits.
I have learnt a lot and apply myself accordingly with the main aim of persueing love to attain to them according to the will of God.
Thank u so much for enlightment.
Daiserie Dimaano
Sunday 5th of December 2021
Thank you Ms. Melissa for the insights. worth reading for. God bless you more!
Kikky
Wednesday 19th of May 2021
Thank you so much. I am greatly inspired by this word. Simple to understand. God bless you.