Signs of Believers

The Bible clearly teaches that Christ wants the lives and ministries of His followers to be characterized by supernatural works. Just like Jesus, those who spread the message of forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Christ should perform miracles in His name as evidence that God's kingdom is active and available here on earth. Christians do not do these works on their own. As Jesus' representatives on earth, they minister under His authority, and everything they do is done through the power of His Holy Spirit so that everything brings honor to Jesus. He told His followers that after He left and the Holy Spirit came to empower them, they would do even greater miracles than He did. This refers to the fact that His followers would spread His message to a greater degree and reach many more people over time. But it also refers to the greater level and wider range of supernatural ministry that would take place. The key to doing "greater things", however, is having faith in Christ; the miracles that Christ's followers perform are not to anyone else's credit because it is still Jesus doing the ministry and miracles through them.

These signs, done by true followers of Christ, confirm that the gospel message is genuine and that God's kingdom has come to earth in a powerful and supernatural way. Miracles and supernatural signs done in Jesus' name also reveal that Jesus is alive, active, present and working through His people.

God wants these supernatural spiritual activities to continue within Christ's churches until Jesus returns. God's Word never suggests that these signs were restricted to the time period immediately following Jesus' departure from earth and return to heaven. Some suggest that these signs were only necessary to get the first churches started and to help spread Christ's message rapidly in the beginning. However, the Bible does not teach nor does it gave any evidence that these supernatural activities would decrease or become unnecessary as the message spread and churches grew. In fact, it says quite the opposite, for much of the New Testament provides instructions about how to carry on the ministry of the church with the same power and with the same spiritual gifts in operation. In addition to Jesus' own words, consider Paul's instructions about spiritual gifts or James' instruction about prayer for the sick. After all, the church continue to serve the same purpose and needs the same power that is described throughout the book of acts and the rest of the New Testament.

Christ's followers are not only to bring the message of God's kingdom but also the power of the kingdom. That is to say, they are not only supposed to talk about Christ, but also show His power - just as He did while He was on earth. This type of ministry reveals the completeness of Christ's salvation, which is able to free and heal the entire being - body, soul and spirit. Jesus teaches in Mark 16:15-20 that these signs are not just special gifts available to only a few, but they are to be given to all followers of Christ who obey Him, spreading His message and trust His promises.

If these signs are not happening in churches today, it is not that Christ is failing to keep His promises. Instead, it is usually evidence of a lack of faith and devotion on the part of His followers in those local congregations.

Christ has promised that if we remain loyal to Him, then His authority, power and presence will be with us as we battle satan's kingdom. We must help rescue people from the devil's control by spreading the truth about Jesus, by living according to God's standards, and by performing supernatural signs and miracles through the power of the Spirit.