Understanding the Doctrine of Miracle

What is a Miracle?

In the biblical context, a miracle is a supernatural intervention by God in creation, most vividly illustrated when He parted the Red Sea to lead His people to freedom (Exodus 14:21-22).

Exodus 14:21 describes the dramatic moment when Moses stretched out his staff, and the Lord drove back the sea with a strong east wind, creating a dry path. The following verse, Exodus 14:22, records the miraculous outcome: the Israelites walked through on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides, demonstrating God’s sovereign power and faithfulness to His covenant.

Miracles in the Exodus Story

The Exodus narrative showcases God’s miraculous power most dramatically in the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), a pivotal moment that underscores His sovereignty and commitment to His people.

In Exodus 14:21, Moses stretches out his staff at God’s command, and the Lord drives back the sea with a strong east wind, creating a path of dry land. Exodus 14:22 records the Israelites’ passage through this miraculous corridor, with walls of water on either side—a tangible display of God’s control over nature. This act not only delivers Israel from Pharaoh’s army but also establishes a covenantal pattern of divine rescue.

The Red Sea miracle reveals God’s character as both a liberator and a covenant-keeper. By parting the sea, He demonstrates authority over creation, subverting human power structures to free His people. The event also symbolizes a new beginning, as Israel’s survival hinges on trusting God’s guidance rather than their own resources. This miracle becomes a foundational memory for Israel, shaping their identity as a people redeemed by God’s faithfulness.

This act of divine intervention sets a precedent for salvation history, illustrating how God works through seemingly impossible circumstances to fulfill His promises. It foreshadows future acts of redemption, including Jesus’ victory over death, and invites readers to see miracles as signs of God’s active presence in human history. The Exodus miracle thus remains a cornerstone for understanding the biblical narrative of liberation and faithfulness.

The Purpose of Miracles in Scripture

The Exodus miracle illustrates that biblical miracles are not mere spectacles but deliberate acts that reveal God's character and purposes.

God performs miracles to authenticate His messengers, as seen when Moses parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) to confirm his divine commission, and when Elijah multiplied oil for a widow (1 Kings 17:8-16) to demonstrate God's provision through His prophet. These acts also showcase God's sovereign power over creation and human affairs, calling people to repentance and faith. In the Gospels, Jesus' miracles, like healing the blind (John 9:1-7) and raising Lazarus (John 11:43-44), simultaneously validate His authority and invite belief in His messianic identity.

Biblical miracles differ from magical or naturalistic phenomena by their covenantal context and redemptive purpose. Unlike occult displays of power, they align with God's revealed will and often require faith to recognize, as Jesus emphasized in His interactions with crowds and disciples (Mark 6:5-6).

Miracles and the Ministry of Jesus

Jesus’ miracles, distinct from Old Testament wonders, serve as divine signs that authenticate His authority and herald the inbreaking of God’s kingdom, as John 20:30-31 explicitly attests.

Unlike the Exodus miracles that demonstrated God’s power to liberate Israel, Jesus’ miracles—such as healing the blind (John 9:1-7) and raising Lazarus (John 11:43-44)—reveal His identity as the Messiah and Son of God. John 20:30-31 states, 'Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name,' emphasizing their purpose in evoking faith.

These miracles not only validate Jesus’ authority but also illustrate the kingdom’s transformative power over death and disease, foreshadowing ultimate redemption. By performing such acts, Jesus invites observers to recognize His role in fulfilling God’s redemptive plan. This understanding of miracles as kingdom signs prepares the reader for the broader implications of Jesus’ mission in the New Testament.

Why Miracle Matters Today

The biblical understanding of miracle challenges modern assumptions by affirming God's sovereign power over nature and His active engagement in human history. This perspective, rooted in events like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and Jesus' kingdom signs (John 20:30-31), invites believers to see miracles as purposeful acts that reveal divine truth.

Contemporary naturalism often reduces miracles to anomalies or metaphorical stories, but Scripture presents them as covenantal interventions that shape faith. Believers today should view miracles not as violations of nature but as demonstrations of God's redemptive authority, fostering trust in His promises and hope for His ultimate reign. Miracles historically confirmed messengers like Moses and Jesus, while also modeling how divine power transcends human limitations. Their practical impact lies in deepening reliance on God, as seen when Israel walked through the sea on dry ground (Exodus 14:22) and when Jesus' followers witnessed His resurrection power.

This understanding connects to Christian life by affirming that miracles are not confined to the past but testify to God's ongoing work. As Exodus and Gospel miracles point to liberation and redemption, they encourage believers to seek His active presence in both extraordinary and ordinary moments of faith.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of biblical miracles, explore miracle typology and historical debates.

Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) and stilling the storm (Mark 4:35-41), illustrate distinct categories of divine intervention. Engaging with philosophical discussions—like David Hume’s skepticism in *An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding* and C.S. Lewis’s rebuttals in *Miracles*—can further illuminate how faith and reason intersect in interpreting Scripture’s supernatural accounts.