Throughout the pages of the New Testament, the word “sign” (semeion) refers to miracles functioning as evidence of divine authority. The accompanying term, “wonders” (teras) denotes an unusual occurrence; causing one to marvel.
Whereas a sign appeals to understanding, a wonder appeals to the imagination.
“Signs and wonders” (semeia kai terata) are synonymous with other words such as:
· Miraculous works (ergon)
· Wonders (thaumata, thaumasia)
· Energy, power in exercise (energeia)
· Force, violent power (bis)
· Strength, especially physical (ischus)
· Might, manifested power (kratos)
Signs and wonders could be described as heightened spiritual expressions that confirm God’s Word and reveal His purposes within creation.
In Scripture, these amazing displays aren’t distinguished from other aspects of Jesus’ unfolding revelation. In fact, they were central to the Messiah’s self-disclosure and identity.
“If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works” (John 10:37-38a).
“Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me. Or else believe Me on account of the works themselves” (John 14:11).
“”Go and tell John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them'” (Matt. 11:4-5).
In each of these passages, individuals were brought into a place of revelation and understanding through a direct supernatural encounter. Jesus demonstrates that it’s not just what’s heard—but also what’s seen—that shapes the life of faith.
However, that is not how the early apostles understood things. They recognized a symbiotic relationship between preaching and miracles. For them, proclamation and demonstration were simply different sides of the same coin.
An example of this line of thinking is found in the book of Hebrews:
“How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him? God also bore them witness with signs and wonders and diverse miracles and with gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own will” (Heb. 2:3-4).
“For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Rom. 15:18-19).
I want to invite you to embrace a reality of glory and power. God is positioning His family to dynamically confirm the gospel. This outworking of grace is not just an overflow of words. It’s rooted in incredible displays of power. {eoa}
J.D. King is director of the World Revival Network and associate pastor of World Revival Church.