Manifestations of Spiritual Gifts
I have recently been involved in a "study" (it seemed more a debate and I withdrew for the moment) regarding the gifts/sign-gifts of the Apostles and how they may or may not be valid today. Since withdrawing from that study, I have found much support in scripture to the validity of "miracles" today. Just this morning in 1 Cor where Paul discussed his "thorn" spoke of God's will to heal or not. My understanding has been that healing, along with other signs and gifts is still valid today, but, as with anything of God, is according to his will, and not only of our faith. Paul had faith, to the degree that God took him to the third heaven. Some have tried to pursuade me that all signs, miracles, etc., ended with the apostles.
My request to any who read this is, how are we to respond to those who have been taught and attempt to adhere to these teachings? I say attempt because of the double-speak I experienced, while putting forth scripture to validate that God can, will, and does desire to give healing (other than spiritual via salvation) to some for the purpose of demonstrating his power to the end of the age. I know He has healed today because He has healed or "delivered" me from many affictions, as well as others who have testified. It is on that basis that I stand firm.
The GOSPEL the Power of God
As long as we live for the Gospel we are in the will of God and we can always expect His full support.
But as soon as we started to give more weight and become mesmerized by our intelligence, by the philosophies of man, by what we see, what we hear, or what we feel then like the apostle Peter we will begin to sink (Mat14:25-31).
Well, the concept of miracles is actually along story and what I've said are only but scratches on the surface...The key is to sow yourself humbly and patiently in the scriptures.
As our Lord Jesus said,.."If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"(John8:31-32)
If we will not plant a seed we will not reap and if we will plant a seed in our flesh we will reap confusions and miseries, but a child like faith will save us from big troubles. Faith however, like a seed needs time to grow to a mature and strong tree.
Mainly, what I'm trying to say is, I do not believe "miracles" ended with the death of the apostles and one of the main reasons why some ministries do not experience them is because of unbelief. But those who are not offended by this concept may one day have one.
...Neither miracles happen because there is power in prayer, fasting, or one's faith, they do happen because of the power of God, they are but sort of a conduit through which we receive God's blessings.
Miracles are manifestation of God's love, mercy, and grace which is a part of our inheritance in Christ through His gospel. And this could be for our personal need, for our family, our ministry, or probably just for one of our neigbors or friends.
And we receive God's blessings and miracles by his grace alone, not by good works, not by our good performance, nor do we earn it so that at anytime we have confidence that whatever we ask in His name, by God's tremendous grace and mercy we know that He will answer our prayer and meet our needs.
And that should be a real GOOD NEWS to everyone, the GOSPEL the power of God.
However_ beware of extremism, stage show, religious drama, spiritual show-off, megalomania, etc.