| New Testament Signs and Wonders |
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Nineteenth-century
believers were intimately familiar with the Bible. Consequently, seekers,
primitivists, and restorationists of all stripes expected anyone or any
sect claiming divine authority to be able to perform miracles—healings,
speaking in tongues, prophecies, and other signs and wonders. The effectiveness
of the Book of Mormon as a missionary tool must be understood in this
context. Its effectiveness as a missionary tool was due not so much to
its contents as to the fact of its existence, and the manner in which
it was "revealed." Just as convincing, in my opinion, were the
healings performed by missionaries and the speaking of tongues experienced
in Mormon gatherings. |
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| Can't
discern? Wicked, adulterous generation seeks Sign of Jonas |
3 And in the morning,
It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites,
ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of
the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. |
Matthew 16:3–4 | ||
| Imposters show signs and wonders | For there shall arise
false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. |
Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22 | ||
| Signs
follow believers Exorcisms, speak in tongues, snake handling, poison, healings |
17 And these signs shall
follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. |
Mark 16:17–18 | ||
| Signal the end | And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. | Luke 21:11 | ||
| Jesus performs | Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: | Acts 2:22 | ||
| Apostles perform | … and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. | Acts 2:43 | ||
| Peter and John pray for | 29 And now, Lord, … grant unto thy servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. |
Acts 4:29–30 | ||
| Apostles perform | And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; | Acts 5:12 | ||
| Signs of an apostle | Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. | 2 Corintians 2:12 | ||
| God bears witness with signs and wonders | 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which
at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? |
Hebrews 2:3–4 | ||
| To be continued … | ||||
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Old
Testament Signs and Wonders |
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