MIRACLES
Please
explain `John 14:12`: "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
my Father." (J.A.B.)
<ANSWER>--Whatever may be the meaning of the Master's
words, it is obvious that not any of His followers have ever
been able to do "greater works" than He accomplished
as regards the miraculous works of opening the blind eyes, unstopping
the deaf ears, raising the dead, stilling the tempest, etc.
The "works," therefore, must be of a different nature,
or upon a larger scale. Both of these are true. The last expression
of the verse should be noted in this connection- -"because
I go unto my Father." Our Lord, when he ascended on high,
and had presented the merits of His sacrifice in behalf of His
followers, could then bestow the holy Spirit of sonship upon
those who, through faith and obedience, would become members
of His Church. These receiving the holy Spirit, or power of
God, would be enabled to accomplish the "greater works"
of opening the spiritually blind eyes, unstopping the spiritually
deaf ears, raising to spiritual life those who were dead in
trespasses and sins, and stilling the tempests of the soul;
all of which, from the Divine viewpoint, is a far greater work
than the merely physical healing, etc. Then again, when the
Church of Christ has been glorified in the Heavenly state, the
work of raising the dead, and healing, blessing and restoring
to full life and health and joy and happiness, will be executed
on a world-wide scale, for the promise is that all the families
of the earth will be blessed through "The Seed of Abraham"--Jesus
and the members of His Body, the Church. (`Gen. 22:18`; `Gal.
3:27-29`.)
Are
we to accept the Bible account of the miracles that were performed
in olden times? Why are not miracles performed in our day? (Doubtful.)
<ANSWER>--This is an age of miracles, with messages being
flashed thousands of miles through space, and under the seas,
and around the globe. Marvelous discoveries and wonderful inventions
are being made almost daily. Some of the achievements of our
times almost eclipse those of former days, even the miracles
of which we read in the Scriptures. As a matter of fact, miracles
are transpiring all about us continually. The reproduction of
living organism, either animal or vegetable, is beyond our comprehension,
as well as beyond our power--hence miraculous. We can see the
exercise of life principle, but can neither understand it nor
produce it. Two seeds are planted side by side; the conditions,
air, water, and soil are alike; they grow we cannot tell how,
nor can the wisest philosopher explain this miracle. These seeds
develop characteristics that are exactly opposite, though the
conditions were the same. The Creator who formed all of the
marvels that we see about us in the material world, would surely
be able to perform the miracles narrated in the Bible, and therefore,
we need have no doubts as to their authenticity.
