From the archives of Oral Roberts – “Miracles Series” – Second of seven parts
The Bible teaches that miracles, signs, and wonders follow the “full preaching” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself was that Gospel in living, breathing, human form as He walked the earth. Wherever He went, miracles happened. Today, through the Holy Spirit, He continues to be the Miracle Worker. Wherever His presence is acknowledged, proclaimed, and honored, He is at work!
After Jesus returned to Heaven and the apostles began to preach about who Jesus was and what He had accomplished on the Cross, the apostles began to discover that whenever they “fully preached” the Gospel of Jesus Christ, miracles broke out! They didn’t start out preaching miracles…they preached Christ. But, when they preached Christ, miracles happened! The Apostle Paul wrote: “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19). In other words, wherever Paul preached the Gospel of Christ, sign and wonders followed.
The same thing happened to Peter at the home of Cornelius. He preached the Gospel of Christ, and the Holy Spirit immediately fell on all those gathered in the house. (See Acts 10.)
The same thing happened to Phillip when he preached Christ to the Samaritans: “unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:7&8).
It happened first after Peter stood and preached Christ to the multitude that gathered on the Day of Pentecost because “every man heard them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6).
I heard a man say recently, “I don’t follow after signs and wonders. They follow after me!” He preached the full Gospel, and miracles were the result. I believe they’ll be there whenever and wherever I lift up Jesus Christ as Savior, Healer, Provider, and Deliverer of men’s souls!
I want to be in a place where signs and wonders are happening because that’s where the Gospel of Jesus is being fully preached and taught, and people are expecting God to move on their behalf. Jesus Himself said that He could do no miracles where the people didn’t believe. I want to be around people of faith who are expecting miracles!
