How can we avoid being deceived?

We are not to run after miracles, but we are rather to seek the pure doctrine of God’s Word and adhere to it. At the same time we are to avoid those who teach contrary to God’s Word, even though their “miracles” appear to be genuine.

Deut. 13:1-4: If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying: Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

2 Thess. 2:10: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish (those who follow the miracles of the Antichrist), because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

How can false and deceptive miracles be distinguished from genuine ones?

False and deceptive miracles can be so well masked and can occur in the guise of such outward piety, that detecting their false character can be overwhelmingly difficult.

Matt. 24: 4,24: Take heed that no man deceive you... For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Are there also false and deceptive miracles?

Yes, there are. Especially during the last times there are many of them. Through false and deceptive miracles and wonders, the devil tries to lead God’s children astray.

Matt. 7:22-23: Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

2 Thess. 2:9-10: Even him (the Papal Antichrist) whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

What are the greatest of all miracles?

The greatest miracles are those that are generally not considered to be miracles at all. For example, when an unbeliever is converted, or when someone who had become the victim of false doctrine, comes to a knowledge of the truth, or when God’s Word in its truth and purity is preserved even among a small group of Christians.

Joh. 14:12: 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.

May we, in the hope of a miracle, reject the natural means of receiving help?

No, we may not. We must rather with gratitude use all the help, which God gives us through natural means. For example, we get our livelihood through work and diligence, our nourishment by preparing food and eating, we protect our health by observing wholesome living habits, and illnesses can be cured by medical means. To reject these natural means and demand that God take care of us through supernatural means, is to tempt God.

1 Tim. 5:23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Matt. 4:6-7: (The devil) saith unto him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down; for it is written: He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee; and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Can miracles still occur?

Although miracles are not the marks of the Church, and although we do not have the right to demand them, God may in His goodness see fit to hear our prayer and help us, His children, through a direct miracle, for all things are in His power. For example, in 1540 Luther wrote to his critically ill friend, Friedrich Mykonius: “I urge you in God’s name to live, for you are very necessary for me for the reformation of the Church.” When the letter arrived, Mykonius was on the verge of death, and could no longer speak. After the letter had been read, he recovered and lived yet another six years, and only died after the Reformer’s death, as Luther had requested of God.

What is the purpose of these special gifts of grace?

God gave special gifts of grace during great periods of transition, such as the times of Moses, the prophet Elijah and the time of the Apostles. During the Old Testament times God showed, through miracles and signs, that He is the true God, that the Israelites are His chosen people, and from among them, the Messiah will be born.

2 Kings 5:15: Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.

Jesus showed through miracles and signs, that He is God’s Son and the promised Messiah.

Joh. 10:36-38: Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works; that ye may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.

During the Apostolic times God confirmed His Word through miracles and signs.

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

2 Cor. 12:12: Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Beacuse God has already confirmed His Word, we must not demand new signs in order to believe, but we are to believe and adhere to the Apostolic Word of the Bible and to the preaching of Christ crucified, based on this Word. Special signs and miracles are not the marks of a true church, but the only infallible marks of the true Church are the pure proclamation of God’sWord and the Sacraments administered according to Christ’s command.

1 Cor. 21-23: It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the greeks foolishness.

Luke 16:29-31: Abraham saith unto him: They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said: Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they persuaded though one rose from the dead.

Luther: “If we were now to begin demanding such signs, it would be the same, as if we would say: I doubt whether Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and the entire teaching of the Gospel are true. For these have already long been in force, and have been powerfully confirmed, so that such signs and wonders have ceased.” (Sermon on the Mount, 8:1-13, 1535).

What gifts of grace are not given at all times?

The Bible speaks of special gifts of the Spirit, signs and wonders, which have not been given at all times in all places. Such gifts, for example, are: raising the dead, healing the sick, speaking in foreign tongues without study, prophesying future times of persecution (the other meaning of the word “prophesy”), and explaining certain passages of the Bible through a special revelation of the Spirit (the third meaning of the word “prophesy”).

Assignment: Read Mark 16: 17-20, 1 Cor. 12-14, Acts 21:9, Luke 4:27.

What are the gifts of grace that God gives at all times in all places to his Church?

Such gifts, for example, are: leading, praying, giving, explaining the Scriptures (prophesying), teaching, discerning the spirits and judging doctrine, and brotherly love. These gifts are always found in God’s Church, although all Christians do not have them in an equal measure. No one can earn forgiveness or heaven through these gifts, which our Lord Christ also earned for us. God gives these gifts in proportion to one’s knowledge of the Scriptures and one’s growth in faith. Through these gifts God builds and protects His Church. They are therefore of great benefit.

Rom. 12:6-12: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy (ability to explain the Bible, the first meaning of the word “prophesy”), let us prophesy according to the analogy of faith: or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching: Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerflness. Let love be without dissimulation... continuing instant in prayer.

Joh. 10:27 and 10:5: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. – And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of stangers.

1 Joh. 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Assignment: Read 1 Cor. 12:31 and chapter 13.

What kind of a spiritual gift is God´s grace in Chirst?

God’s grace in Christ, or the forgiveness of sins, is necessary for all people for salvation.

Rom. 6:23: The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

How many types of spiritual gifts are mentioned in the Bible?

The Bible speaks of three types of spiritual gifts. They are

1. God’s grace in Christ,


2. gifts that God gives at all times in all places to His Church, and


3. special gifts of grace, which God does not give at all times and not to everyone in His Church.