Nov 2711 min read

Can the Miracles in the Bible Be Trusted, or Are They Merely Symbols?

Defining Biblical Miracles: Supernatural Acts of God

The Bible presents miracles not just as extraordinary events but as specific, supernatural acts of Jehovah meant to confirm divine truth, validate messengers, and communicate His will to humanity. Understanding what a miracle is begins with recognizing the three key terms used throughout Scripture: signs, wonders, and power. These terms illuminate the multifaceted nature of miracles and provide a framework for distinguishing genuine miracles from mere natural phenomena or deceptive events orchestrated by false spiritual forces.

The most crucial definition of a biblical miracle can be found in the New Testament, specifically in Hebrews 2:3–4. Here, miracles are depicted as acts that confirm the truth of God’s revelation: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?” (UASV). The mention of signs, wonders, and various miracles underscores the purpose of these divine acts, not just to awe those who witness them but to substantiate the truth of God’s message.

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Signs as Evidence of God's Direct Intervention

The Bible frequently uses the term "sign" (Hebrew: oth) to describe a miraculous event that serves as a visible indication of divine involvement. A sign is not merely a wonder that evokes amazement; it is an intentional act of Jehovah meant to point to a deeper truth or message. For example, when Moses doubted that the Israelites would believe Jehovah had sent him to deliver them from Egypt, God provided two signs to affirm His commission: Moses' rod was transformed into a serpent and his hand became leprous and was then healed (Exodus 4:1–7). These signs were given so that the people might believe that “the God of their fathers… has appeared” to Moses (Exodus 4:5).

Another striking example is found in the confrontation between Moses and the magicians of Egypt. Jehovah used signs such as turning the Nile’s waters to blood and bringing about the plagues to demonstrate His power over both Pharaoh and the false gods of Egypt. These signs made it unmistakably clear to the Egyptians and the Israelites alike that Jehovah was sovereign (Exodus 7:3–5, 17). The purpose of these miracles was not merely to create awe but to confirm that Jehovah was truly at work in delivering His people, as He had promised.

In the New Testament, the concept of signs continues with Jesus and the apostles. John 2:11 notes that Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana "revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him." This miracle, like all of Jesus' signs, served a dual purpose: to meet a practical need and to point toward His divine identity as the Son of God. John 20:31 explains, “These [miracles] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” In this way, biblical signs are intimately tied to revealing divine truth.

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Wonders: The Supernatural Awe of God's Work

While "signs" refer to the purpose of miracles, "wonders" (Hebrew: mopheth, Greek: teras) emphasize their effect on those who witness them. A wonder is something that provokes astonishment and reverence because it transcends the natural order. For instance, the plagues in Egypt not only served as signs of God's power but also evoked sheer terror and amazement among the Egyptians. These wonders displayed Jehovah’s supremacy over the gods of Egypt, who were powerless to protect their land (Exodus 7–12).

Throughout the Old Testament, Jehovah used wonders to reveal His might and sovereignty. The parting of the Red Sea is another iconic example of a wonder that left an indelible mark on the Israelites. When the sea divided, allowing them to cross on dry ground, and then swallowed Pharaoh’s army, the Israelites "feared Jehovah and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant" (Exodus 14:31). This event not only confirmed Moses’ role as Jehovah’s chosen leader but also deepened the Israelites’ faith in God.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ miracles similarly evoked awe. In Mark 4:41, after Jesus calmed the storm, His disciples were filled with fear and amazement, saying, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Jesus’ wonders were not only displays of divine power but also revelations of His identity as the Son of God. The apostles continued this pattern of performing wonders in the early church, as noted in Acts 2:43: "Many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles."

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Power: The Divine Source Behind Miracles

The third term frequently associated with miracles is "power" (Greek: dunamis), which highlights the divine origin of these supernatural events. While signs and wonders describe the purpose and effect of miracles, power focuses on their source—Jehovah Himself. Miracles in Scripture are not random acts of magic or manipulation of natural forces but are direct interventions by Jehovah into the created world.

In the Old Testament, Jehovah's power is evident in His acts of creation and His ongoing involvement in the world. Jeremiah 32:17 proclaims, “Ah, Lord Jehovah! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you." From the creation of the universe to the preservation of His people, Jehovah’s power is repeatedly affirmed through miraculous acts.

In the New Testament, the word "power" is often used in connection with Jesus’ miracles. For example, in Luke 8:46, Jesus, after healing a woman who touched the edge of His garment, says, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” This illustrates that the miracles performed by Jesus were not merely symbolic gestures but acts of divine power, emanating directly from Jehovah through His Son. Jesus’ miracles, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, were tangible demonstrations of His divine authority and power over both the physical and spiritual realms.

The apostles also performed miracles through the power of Jehovah, as seen in Acts 3:12, when Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate and declares that it was not by his own power or godliness that the man was healed but by the power of Jesus Christ. The miracles performed by the apostles were not of their own doing but were manifestations of divine power to confirm the gospel message.

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Miracles in the Old Testament: Authentic Acts of Divine Power

While skeptics often question the authenticity of Old Testament miracles, it is important to recognize that these events are consistently treated as historical and factual throughout the Bible. For example, the creation of the world, as described in Genesis 1–2, is a miracle of unparalleled magnitude. Jehovah spoke the universe into existence by His word, demonstrating His absolute power over all creation (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 33:6). This miraculous act is foundational to the entire biblical narrative, as it establishes Jehovah as the sovereign Creator of all things.

One of the most well-known miracles in the Old Testament is the parting of the Red Sea, which allowed the Israelites to escape from Pharaoh's army. This event is not only recounted in Exodus 14 but also referenced throughout Scripture as a pivotal moment in Israel’s history (Psalm 106:9, Nehemiah 9:11). The parting of the sea was a public, verifiable event witnessed by thousands of people. It was not a symbolic myth or allegory but a real, historical act of divine intervention.

The New Testament also affirms the historicity of Old Testament miracles. Jesus Himself refers to several Old Testament miracles as literal events. In Matthew 12:40, Jesus compares His upcoming resurrection to Jonah’s miraculous preservation in the belly of a great fish, saying, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” By drawing this comparison, Jesus affirms both the reality of Jonah’s experience and the future reality of His own resurrection.

Another Old Testament miracle affirmed by Jesus is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Luke 17:29, Jesus speaks of the judgment that came upon these cities, saying, “But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all.” These references by Jesus underscore the fact that He viewed these Old Testament events as historical realities, not as mythological symbols.

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Miracles in the New Testament: The Culmination of God's Redemptive Plan

The miracles of the New Testament, particularly those performed by Jesus, serve as the culmination of Jehovah’s redemptive plan. While the Old Testament contains numerous examples of divine intervention, the New Testament reveals the fullness of Jehovah’s power through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ miracles not only authenticated His divine identity but also pointed forward to the ultimate miracle of His resurrection.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated His authority over nature, sickness, demons, and even death. One of the most significant miracles in the New Testament is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In John 11:43–44, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb after he had been dead for four days, proving His power over death and foreshadowing His own resurrection. This miracle caused many to believe in Jesus, but it also led to increased opposition from the religious leaders who feared His growing influence (John 11:45–53).

The resurrection of Jesus is the central miracle of the Christian faith, as it validates everything He taught and accomplished during His earthly ministry. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is not merely a spiritual metaphor but a physical, historical event that took place in space and time. The empty tomb and the numerous appearances of the risen Christ to His disciples (John 20:19–29) provide irrefutable evidence that Jesus conquered death.

The apostles continued to perform miracles after Jesus’ ascension, confirming the truth of their message and the presence of the Holy Spirit working through them. In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate, and the people are filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened. Peter explains that it was by the name of Jesus Christ that the man was healed, further affirming the authority and power of the risen Savior (Acts 3:16).

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Purpose of Miracles: To Confirm God's Word and Bring Glory to Him

The Bible consistently teaches that miracles are not performed for the sake of spectacle or entertainment. Rather, their purpose is to confirm Jehovah’s message and glorify His name. As Jesus Himself stated, "The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me" (John 10:25). Every miracle performed by Jesus, the apostles, or the prophets of old was meant to point people to Jehovah and to validate His Word.

One of the clearest examples of this purpose is found in the account of Elijah on Mount Carmel. When the people of Israel were wavering between worshiping Jehovah and following Baal, Elijah called for a demonstration of divine power to settle the matter. He prayed, "Let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word" (1 Kings 18:36). When Jehovah sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, the people fell on their faces and declared, "Jehovah, he is God" (1 Kings 18:39). The miracle was not performed for entertainment but to confirm that Elijah was a true prophet of Jehovah and to call the people back to faithfulness.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ miracles served the same purpose. His healing of the sick, casting out of demons, and raising of the dead were all signs that pointed to His divine identity and the truth of His message. As Nicodemus acknowledged, “No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). The miracles of Jesus were not arbitrary displays of power; they were purposeful acts meant to reveal who He was and to authenticate the message of salvation that He proclaimed.

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Miracles and Faith: The Role of Miraculous Signs in Belief

While miracles can serve as powerful evidence of Jehovah’s presence and power, the Bible also teaches that not everyone who witnesses a miracle will necessarily come to faith. In John 12:37, it is written, “Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.” This demonstrates that miracles alone are not sufficient to produce faith in every heart. Faith requires a willing response to the revelation of Jehovah, not merely an acknowledgment of His power.

Jesus addressed this reality in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man, suffering in Hades, begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them" (Luke 16:29). The rich man insisted that a miraculous appearance from the dead would surely convince them, but Abraham responded, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31). This highlights the fact that the Word of God is the ultimate foundation for faith, and those who reject it will not be persuaded even by miracles.

The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment when he declares, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:22–23). While signs and wonders can confirm the truth of Jehovah’s message, they are not a substitute for the proclamation of the gospel. Faith comes through hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), and miracles serve to support and validate that Word, not replace it.

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Biblical Miracles as the Foundation of Faith

The miracles recorded in Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments, serve as powerful testimony to Jehovah’s involvement in the world and His plan of redemption. Far from being myths or symbols, these events are real, historical occurrences that demonstrate Jehovah’s power, authenticate His messengers, and reveal His truth. From the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Jesus, each miracle is a sign of Jehovah’s sovereign rule over creation and His commitment to fulfill His promises.

The Bible’s presentation of miracles offers a clear and compelling account of how Jehovah has intervened in human history to bring about His purposes. As believers, we can trust in the reliability of these accounts and find assurance in the power of Jehovah, who continues to work in the world today.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).