Mark 14:14-20
"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."
The truth contained in these scriptures are absolute, Jesus spoke them and I believe what He said. The ministry of Jesus included many signs, wonders, and miracles as God bore witness to His Christ and the words He spoke.
Jesus never emphasized the signs and miracles that the Father worked through Him, but God used the signs, wonders, and miracles to show that Jesus was approved and sent by Him into the world to preach the good news of the kingdom and to reconcile the world back to Himself.
John 3:1
"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Acts 2:22-24
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it."
Acts 10:36-38
"The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
When John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, Jesus answered by telling them all the works that God was doing through Him
Matthew 11:1-6
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
The earthly ministry of Jesus was all inclusive, not only did He meet the physical needs of people but also the spiritual. He preached the gospel and showed people the pathway that would lead them to the salvation of their souls, He cast out demons from those who were oppressed, He opened the eyes of the blind, the cripple were made to walk, those who had diseases were cured, the dead were raised up, and the hungry were fed. There was not one need of the people that Jesus didn't meet in His ministry.
Likewise, those who are called by the Lord and sanctified for His use will do the same ministry works that Jesus did and the Lord Himself will confirm His ministers and believers with signs, wonders, and miracles following.
John 14:12-14
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
The same works that Jesus did, His apostles did too.
Matthew 10:5-8
"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
The ministry works of Jesus include all the above. Preaching, healing, cleansing, raising the dead, and casting out demons. These are the signs, wonders, and miracles that will follow those who believe in Jesus.
In the book of Acts we read of how the Lord worked through His ministers and the believers in the 1st century church as they preached the gospel and witnessed about His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead.
Acts 2:40-43
"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles."
When the early believers prayed after Peter and John were released from the rulers in Jerusalem, they asked the Lord to give them boldness to speak His word and that signs and wonders be done through the name of Jesus.
Now this is a powerful prayer to the Lord!
Acts 4:23-31
"And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
Acts 5:12-16
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."
Stephen and Philip were not called to be apostles, but they were believers of Jesus Christ, men of good reputation, full of faith and the Holy Spirit. (Philip was an Evangelist)
Acts 6:8
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people."
Acts 8:4-8
"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city."
Yes, signs and wonders will follow those who believe in Jesus as they preach His word, minister to His people, and bear witness to His kingdom, to His death, and to His resurrection!
In Jesus Name,
Tyrone
