Spiritual Gift of Miracles

The spiritual gift of Miracles is a Holy Spirit–given ability to recognize, participate in, and testify to God’s extraordinary actions in the world. It involves an acute sensitivity to God’s supernatural activity and, at times, being used as a vessel through whom God accomplishes acts that transcend natural law.

This gift appears in Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:10 – “to another miraculous powers”
Acts 2:43 – “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles”
Acts 19:11 – “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul”
John 14:12 – Jesus promises that His followers will do “greater works”

Those with this gift recognize God’s extraordinary intervention long before others see it and help the church remain aware of His power and presence.

Miracles are always God’s work, not human ability. The gifted individual is not the performer of the miracle but a vessel of God’s initiative.

A Prayer-Driven Gift

Individuals with this gift are often recognized as prayer warriors, marked by:

Unusual confidence in God’s ability to intervene
Persistence and boldness in intercession
Sensitivity to the Spirit’s prompting
A striking alignment between prayer and outcomes
Visible encouragement of others to deepen their prayer life

They often pray in specific, faith-filled ways that align with God’s purposes, and the results strengthen the entire church’s trust in Him.

Miracles vs. Healing

These two gifts are related but distinct:

Healing focuses on God restoring physical, emotional, or spiritual brokenness.
Miracles include healing but also involve acts such as deliverance, supernatural protection, provision, power encounters, timing miracles, victory over spiritual forces, and events that break natural patterns.

Miracles function as signs of God’s power, pointing the community back to Him.

Miracles as God’s Work — Not Human Power

True miracles:

Originate only from God
Cannot be summoned or controlled
Cannot be predicted or scheduled
Occur at the Spirit’s initiative
Always align with God’s will
Always glorify Christ, not the individual

Those with this gift never view themselves as miracle-workers but as servants through whom God occasionally chooses to act.

Practical Ways This Gift Builds Up the Church

People with the gift of miracles help the Body by:

Strengthening the faith of discouraged believers
Confirming God’s leading in ministry or mission
Encouraging bold prayer and deep trust
Demonstrating God’s presence in crisis
Assisting in spiritual warfare and deliverance
Creating breakthrough moments in seemingly impossible situations

Because of them, the church remembers that God is living, active, and powerful.

Miracles and Spiritual Warfare

Many biblical miracles occur in contexts of spiritual conflict:

Deliverance from demonic oppression (Acts 16:16–18)
Protection from harm (Daniel in the lions’ den, Acts 12)
Supernatural provision or victory (Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Joshua)
Demonstrations of God’s authority over dark powers

People with this gift often sense spiritual battles early and pray with authority. Their presence in a church brings clarity, courage, and confidence in God’s victory.

Cautions and Pastoral Wisdom

Because miracles can be misunderstood or misused, the church needs gentle but clear cautions:

Do not view miracles as a measure of someone’s faith.
Do not chase miracles—chase Jesus.
Not all signs are from God; some may be counterfeit (2 Thess. 2:9).
Discernment is essential.
Miracles should confirm faith, not replace it.
Avoid emotionalism that forces meaning onto events that may not be miraculous.
Remain humble, recognizing that miracles are God’s work alone.

When used properly, the gift strengthens rather than confuses the church.

Biblical Examples of God Working Miracles Through People

Moses – Red Sea, plagues, provision
Elijah and Elisha – resurrection, provision, power encounters
Peter and John – healing the lame (Acts 3)
Paul – deliverance, raising the dead, extraordinary miracles (Acts 19–20)
Philip and Stephen – signs and wonders (Acts 6, 8)

These examples show that God uses ordinary people as vessels for extraordinary acts.

Historical Perspectives

Martin Luther

Luther believed:

The greatest miracle is the transformation of the human heart
Miracles are signs of God’s grace, not entertainment
Satan may produce counterfeit wonders
Miracles confirm God’s work but are secondary to faith
Discernment is essential

Luther affirmed God’s ability to intervene while urging caution and humility.

John Wesley

Wesley taught that:

Miracles did not cease with the apostles
They often accompany revival and spiritual renewal
Lack of miracles often reflects weakened faith or holiness
Miracles glorify God and confirm the Gospel
They must never overshadow repentance and holy living

Wesley encouraged openness to God’s miraculous work with spiritual sobriety.

The Catholic Church

The Church teaches that the gift of miracles:

Is a charismatic gift of the Holy Spirit
Confirms the Gospel and points to Christ
Must be exercised with humility, discernment, and accountability
Can occur through healings, deliverances, protection, and supernatural signs
Always exists to glorify God and edify the Church

Miracles are signs of God’s mercy and presence, not proof of human holiness.

People with This Gift Often…

Are passionate advocates for prayer
Recognize signs of God’s supernatural activity
Sense the Spirit’s intervention before others do
Encourage the church to trust God beyond what is seen
Stand firm in spiritual conflict
Celebrate and testify to God’s power
Strengthen the Body through bold faith and Spirit-filled intercession

Bible References

Psalm 66	God’s work in the world are awesome deeds
Romans 8:26-27	The Holy Spirit helps us to pray
1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31	Paul mentions the specific gift of miracles
Hebrews 2:1-4	God testifies to us through miracles
James 5:13-18	Miracles at work in the body
Mark 16:17-18	Jesus speaks on signs and abilities through faith

References

Graham, 215-218

Other Gifts