Confirming the Word

Today’s readings:

Genesis 41,42; Mark 16

Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

And as Mark concludes his account, we realise one of the important purposes of true biblical miracles (as for example described in vv. 17,18) - to confirm the word. In other words, to prove that the words that came to the apostles and subsequently, selected disciples was from God and not from men.

Observe what the Hebrews writer penned in Hebrews 2:3-4
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; 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?

So it started with Jesus and then subsequently the apostles (them that heard him), as we’ve just seen in th passage in Mark, and that which is spoken was being proven or witnessed through signs and wonders and divers miracles.

We further note what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:8-9 -
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Thus the diverse miracles had a life span and will come to an end. When? Verse 10 tells us -
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
And that which is perfect or complete, is the Word of God, which will at some point in the first century have been completely delivered to man.

It also made perfect sense with regards to the cessation of inspired writings, because when the last apostle passed on, no one would have been able to receive miraculous gifts, since it was only obtained by laying of hands of an apostle (c.f. Acts 8:17; 19:6).

So let us be very clear - true biblical miracles have ceased. Because they have fulfilled their purpose. Just as the Old Law was done away, it did not mean it was redundant or useless but merely having done its job. In fact, Paul would even go on to describe the miracles as “childish” things (1Co 13:11)! And indeed on which if we were to hang on to and bank on, will never mature and come of age.
So today, we take great comfort and gratitude that the complete Word of God has been given to us, the all sufficiency of the Word, that we may come to the knowledge of salvation and be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2Ti 3:17).