What is a Miracle

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What is a Miracle?
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Aims
1.To increase our belief in Gods greatness and
power 2. To give glory and honour to God 3. To
develop a sense of awe and wonder at what God
does 4. To stimulate an interest in the study of
the Bible
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Our Definitions
Miracles are Something that wouldnt normally
happen Something unbelievable unexplainable Somet
hing mystical Gods intervening A gift a sign A
breaking of the normal laws Scientifically
impossible Something that makes you say wow
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How do we decide what the Bible says about
miracles?

• Find out what the Bible word means
• Find out how the Bible word is used

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Bible Words
Jeremiah 3220 You performed miraculous signs
and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to
this day, both in Israel and among all mankind,
and have gained the renown that is still
yours. Acts 222. Men of Israel, listen to this
Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to
you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did
among you through him, as you yourselves know.
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Miracles
Use a dictionary or lexicon to find out what the
word means.
Online Bible
www.biblegateway.com
http//vines.mike-obrien.net
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In the Old Testament the word for a miracle, tpwm
mopheth, which means something bright and
conspicuous, and therefore visible and evident.
Exodus 79. When Pharaoh says to you, Perform a
miracle, then say to Aaron, Take your staff and
throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become
a snake.
It is used 35 times in the Old Testament
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In the New Testament the emphasis is on the power
needed and is dunamiv dunamis
Matthew 142 (Herod) He said to his attendants,
This is John the Baptist he has risen from the
dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work
in him.
Romans 116 I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God for the salvation
of everyone who believes first for the Jew, then
for the Gentile.
It is used 116 times in the New Testament.
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In the Old Testament, the word wonder is alp
pala which means it is marvellous, wonderful,
surpassing or extraordinary.
Wonders
Genesis 1814 Is anything too hard
(extraordinary) for the LORD? I will return to
you at the appointed time next year and Sarah
will have a son. Joshua 35. Joshua told the
people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the
LORD will do amazing things among you.
There 69 references to wonders in the OT
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In the New Testament the word is terav, teras and
means that something strange, has occurred
causing the beholder to marvel.
Acts 68. Now Stephen, a man full of Gods grace
and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs
among the people.
There are 16 references to wonders in the NT
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Signs
The Hebrew word twa owth denotes a
distinguishing mark, an omen or a miraculous
sign.
Exodus 430-31 He also performed the signs
before the people and they believed.
There are 77 references to signs in the OT
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In Greek it is shmeion semeion, meaning a mark, a
sign or a token.
John 211 This, the first of His miraculous
signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He
thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put
their faith in Him.
There are 69 references to signs in the NT
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A Miracle highlights Gods power in the event A
Wonder stresses the amazement and awe of the
event A Sign emphasises the meaning or purpose
of the event
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Group Exercise In light of our Bible research,
come up with your best definition of a miracle.
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Common Definitions
A direct intervention of God in our world A time
when God acts contrary to the laws of nature
When God does something supernatural or
out-of-the-ordinary. An event that is impossible
to explain by natural causes A less common kind
of activity of God which arouses awe and wonder
and bears witness to Himself
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I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart I
will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 91