Going beyond healings then we have to assume that miraculous powers cover supernatural wonders such as deliverance from demonic powers, anything that defies natural laws such as the raising of the dead.
But like the gifts of healing, the gift of faith is given also to work alongside the miraculous powers.
“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, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
These are acts of power.
Remember that a sign of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is for the unusual to happen. The unexplainable happens.
Let me take some more time on this because it seems a far away gift for us perhaps. Are miraculous powers possible, really? Yes!
Acts 19:11 “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul”
He does not do the ordinary. He does the extraordinary through the ordinary.
He is not a human being (Numbers 23:19). He works through, in and for us humans.
Today you may be facing your greatest threat. A powerful enemy may have come against you.
But it is not what you are facing that is important but who that is in you that counts.
Think about who is in you today …
God who expresses His wrath every day (Psalm 7)
God who has set the moon and stars in place (Psalm 8)
God whose voice strikes with flashes of lightning (Psalm 29)
God who gathers the waters of the sea into jars (Psalm 33)
God who brings desolations on the earth (Psalm 46)
God who reigns over the nations (Psalm 47)
God whose chariots are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands (Psalm 68)
God who is incomparable (Psalm 89)
God who is from all eternity (Psalm 93)
God whose fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. (Psalm 97)
Psalm 68:35 You are awesome O God in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
He is a great and awesome God
In your life!
“O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!” (Jeremiah 32:17).
No need too great.
No problem too big or too small.
No enemy too powerful.
Nothing in us can constrain Him.
No task is too big for Him.
Nothing.
He extravagantly does the extraordinary.
Acts 19:12 “… even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were ill, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”
Paul didn’t touch the cloths for the purpose of healing. He didn’t pray over them and bless them. He didn’t send them out after an online payment. He didn’t teach others the art of the prayer cloth ministry. Paul didn’t have anything to do with the handkerchiefs and aprons. God did it.
God was moving in this Ephesian occultic culture.
God was verifying Paul’s preaching.
We are used to such phenomena in the New Testament. The woman caught the tassels of Jesus robe and received power to her sick body (Matthew 9:20-21). Peter’s shadow would heal people (Acts 5:15). So we are not surprised by Luke the doctor’s account.
So how did this happen?
God didn’t announce this was what He would do.
It must have started with someone inquisitive and brave enough to give it a go.
Perhaps this is easier if your culture is one of charms and magical weird happenings anyway.
Someone was so concerned for a sick loved one, whether in body or tormented in mind or spirit, they wondered if this would help.
Handkerchiefs were sweat rags used to wipe the face and aprons were work overalls that provided protection.
Did this someone visit Paul in his tent-making workshop and see the handkerchiefs of sweat from Paul’s brow and the discarded aprons on the floor and think I wonder if …?
Did this someone bring their own or the hankies and aprons of their sick loved one, with the intention of doing something that perhaps they had seen occultists try?
Luke doesn’t say and maybe that is not the important message.
What is of importance is that the extraordinary God when He is in a place miraculous powers can be given to perform unbelievable extraordinary acts.
Holy Spirit I see brokenness all around me. I live in a culture of many idols; people are blinded to what has put them in chains and cannot see their need of you. Holy Spirit break out. Come. Manifest your presence through me and with faith let my world see the extraordinary power of God and glorify Jesus. Amen
Missions Paul 