If someone performed a great miracle in your presence in the name of Jesus, would that prove to you that that person was a true Christian? Let’s read what Jesus said, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not … in Your name … perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evil doers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23.)
You see, the Evil One uses miracles to deceive people and to lead them away from true faith in Jesus Christ. So, can you know what is of God, and what is not of God?
Among the Christians forced to leave Jerusalem because of persecution was one called Philip. “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there … When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.” (verse 5.)
God was allowing the message of Jesus to be seen as being powerful to those Samaritans. Not only were sins being forgiven, which was Jesus’ true purpose for coming to earth (Galatians 4:4-5. 1stJohn 4:14.), but even many of their sick were being healed! (verses 6-8) The miracles were attracting people to believe in, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people … exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’” (verses 9-10.)
NOTICE, his miracles and magic attracted people to him, but NOT to God!
Many miracles that are talked about today attract people to trust in, and to praise, and even to pray to the one who did the miracle! But they do NOT cause people to want to know and obey God better. Beware with miracles! Genuine, God sent miracles, will result in God ALONE being worshipped and praised, and obeyed. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5. John 10:25-26, 37-38.)
Some Samaritans “believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, and they were baptized, both men and women." (verse 12.) Even “Simon himself believed.” (verse 13.)
A believer going down into the water to be baptized, was meant to illustrate publicly that their old sinful nature had been buried. Coming up out of the water was meant to show that they wanted to live as a NEW person: one who would depend on the power of Christ to forgive him, and make his life pleasing to God. (Galatians 2:20. 1stPeter 2:24.)
Have you wanted to publicly show your faith in that way? (Romans 6:1-14.) Of course, first of all you must have that miracle in your life. The miracle of SALVATION, which comes to you when you trust in Jesus Christ, and ask Him to forgive your sins and change your life. (2ndCorinthians 5:17-21. Acts 16:31-34.)
Read Acts of the Apostles chapter 8, verses 5-13.
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