So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
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God confirmed the truth of the gospel preached through Christ with many miracles.
When Jesus preached the gospel, He performed miracles that made what He said believable. He said, "Though you do not believe Me, believe the works" (John 10:38). Jesus claimed to be from God, then made it obvious He really was from God.
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "No one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him" (John 3:2). Jesus confirmed His ministry by His own miracles. Peter reiterated that fact on the day of Pentecost: "Jesus the Nazarene [was] a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs" (Acts 2:22).
God also gave these same confirming signs to His second generation of preachers—the apostles—so no one could dispute the validity of their message. What the apostles said was not their own opinion; it was divine truth substantiated by signs, wonders, and miracles.
Signs, wonders, and miracles are synonyms referring to all the supernatural things the apostles did. But the apostles also confirmed the Word with "gifts of the Holy Spirit." That's a reference to the temporary sign gifts described in Scripture, such as tongues and healings, not to the permanent edifying gifts given to the church for all time.
Today God attests to the gospel with the miracle of His written Word. Let it not be said that you neglected Jesus Christ. History confirms that hours of neglect cost Napoleon Waterloo. Neglecting Christ's salvation will cost you eternal blessing and joy and bring you damnation. Don't allow yourself to drift past God's grace.
Suggestion for Prayer
Thank God for His Word, and that through it you have all the truth you need to communicate the gospel.
For Further Study
Read Acts 5-19 and list all the miracles performed by the apostles to confirm the gospel.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.