The miracles of Christ are so related to the kingdom that they cannot be separated from his message. Every miracle was a declaration that the kingdom of God is come unto you. Luke opens the book of Acts with the declaration and demonstration of Jesus’ life, “… of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach.” Jesus pointed to his miracles as evidence for people to believe in him. “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake” (John 14:11, KJV).
His miracles were proof that men should believe in him as the Messiah. However, the miracles in themselves are not reason to believe people are of God; the truth they proclaimed must be God’s truth. One cannot separate the words of Jesus from the works of Jesus. The antichrist will work miracles and wonders, but he will not have the words of God. “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10).
Greater Works Than These
Furthermore, Jesus prophesied that those who believe in him would also preach his words and work his works, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14).
It is impossible to preach a full gospel without supernatural demonstrations and miracles, such as the supernatural gift of love and forgiveness. The power that sets captives free. The power that turns men from darkness to light. The manifestation of miracles and wonders. All these demonstrations and more are to accompany the gospel. This makes sense because the Kingdom is in the Holy Ghost: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
God’s Righteousness
Paul could not perceive a gospel without power. He considers the gospel to be full of power and inseparable from the acts of the Holy Spirit. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17).
The power of the gospel is its ability to reveal the righteousness of God. This is revealed, not learned. It is an issue of faith and does not stand in the power of men’s persuasions. Paul didn’t stop there. He further proclaimed that he fully preached the gospel. What does this mean? How did Paul fully preach the gospel? His words of God were accompanied by the works of God, “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God … I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19).
The Kingdom of God
This is the expectation of Jesus for all believers. Jesus told the disciples, “… go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). What was the expectation of this powerful message? Jesus’ expectation of his messengers is to “… Heal the sick … and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:9). This was the characterization of Jesus' life and message. Jesus even demonstrated to his skeptics, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
The kingdom of heaven is always present and has the power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out the devils by preaching the gospel. Jesus' ministry of preaching the gospel to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, preaching deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and giving freedom to those who have been bruised and abused is to continue through his Church. “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8).
Lee Shipp is founding pastor of First New Testament Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has ministered for more than thirty years and is also president of A Call to the Heart.