Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 3
March 13, 1952
NUMBER 44, PAGE 12

"God's Power Still Works"

Felix W. Tarbet, Casper, Wyoming

Jehovah is still just as mindful of those who love Him as He ever was. "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28) "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)

In Old Testament times it was said: "For God bath power to help, and to cast down." (2 Chron. 25:8) Speaking of God's deliverance of Israel by drying up the Red Sea, the Psalmist said: "Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known." (Psalms 106:8)

Jehovah's power is as great as it ever was. His power is exercised today as much as it ever was. Paul wrote: "seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful (emphasis mine) in you: for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you." (2 Cor. 13:3, 4) Peter calls attention to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (2 Peter 1:4, 5) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16) These, and many other scriptures like them, will cause the trusting followers of Christ to say with Paul, "I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13)

At this point some will object by calling attention to the fact that the days of miracles are over. So many reason from the fallacy that God's power can only be exercised through the use of miracles. This premise is the basis of two false positions that men take. These two lines of reasoning are:

(First) — Major premise: God's power can only be exercised through miracles.

Minor premise: God still exercises His power.

Conclusion: Therefore, God works through miracles today.

(Second) — Major premise: God's power can only be exercised through miracles.

Minor premise: God does not work through miracles today.

Conclusion: Therefore, God does not exercise His power today.

Both minor premises in the above syllogisms are true. Both conclusions are false because the major premise is false.

Why should men who profess trust in an omnipotent God try to limit His power to the use of miracles? All miracles are superhuman works but not all superhuman works are miracles. (We use the word "superhuman" instead of "supernatural" because some of God's mighty works are performed through natural means.) The salvation of a sinner by the exercise of God's grace through the gospel is superhuman but is not a miracle. Miracles are superhuman works which are performed to provoke wonder and amazement so as to be signs or proofs of God's participation in the works. Miracles were utilized by God to call attention to, and to confirm His word, while it was in the process of being given to man. They were mighty works of God which He used to call attention to even greater works of His. No one was ever converted to God by a miracle. Miracles confirmed the word, but "belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Rom. 19:17) Speaking of the works that He had done during his personal ministry, before the remission of sins was offered, Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater (emphasis mine) works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father." (John 14:12) The only "greater works' 'that Jesus could have had reference to were the conversions wrought by believers in bringing men into Christ through the preaching of the gospel. These "greater works" are not miracles, but are workings of God's power that excels the greatness of miracles.

God still works. His mighty power has not abated. He changes not. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.