What are biblical sign gifts? What was their purpose?

what does the bible say?

The biblical sign gifts—miracles, healings, tongues, and prophecy—served as powerful confirmations that God’s message and messengers were genuine. Throughout Scripture, miraculous works appeared during key moments of revelation: the Law under Moses, the Prophets through Elijah and Elisha, and the Gospel through Jesus and the apostles. These signs drew attention not to human ability, but to divine authority, proving that the power behind them came from God alone. While God still performs miracles today according to His sovereign will, our faith no longer depends on visible wonders, but on the enduring truth of His Word and the transforming work of His Spirit. The greatest evidence of God’s power is not found in temporary signs, but in the lasting miracle of a redeemed and changed life through Jesus Christ.

from the old testament

• The biblical miracles are concentrated in three key time periods: the ministry of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7–12), the ministry of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 2–6), and the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (see Matthew 9:35; Acts 5:12–16). These three time periods represent the Law, the Prophets, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the New Testament writings. These miracles were first witnessed by people and then recorded in Scripture for future generations.

from the new testament

• The biblical sign gifts refer to the miraculous gifts in the New Testament, including speaking in tongues, the interpretation of tongues, healing, working miracles, and prophesying (1 Corinthians 12:7–10; 14:1–5; Mark 16:17–18). These activities clearly existed in the New Testament period.
• Jesus clearly performed many miracles that were recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 4:23–24; Mark 6:56; John 20:30–31). His followers likewise performed signs that authenticated that their power came from Jesus Christ. For example, on the Day of Pentecost, people from at least fifteen different cultures heard the believers speak and could underst and their words in their own language (Acts 2:4–13). Peter healed a man disabled from birth (Acts 3:1–8), and Paul even brought a young man back from death (Acts 20:9–12).
• The sign gifts confirmed the message was from God. When Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost, the miracle of those speaking in tongues led to many people coming to faith in Christ (Acts 2:41).
• The sign gifts also affirmed that the messenger was from God. Just as Jesus authenticated His message by His signs, the apostles often worked miracles as a sign that their message was truly from God. A powerful example is found in Acts 19:11–12: “And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.” The result of these miracles was that, “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20).

implications for today

God can still do the miraculous, working in ways that defy human understanding. He heals, provides, protects, and transforms lives according to His sovereign will. Although God still performs miracles according to His will, our faith should rest not on extraordinary experiences, but on the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ revealed in the Bible. Today, we live in a time when God’s Word serves as the central evidence of His power and truth. Rather than seeking miraculous signs to confirm our faith, we are called to trust the complete revelation of God given through the Bible. When we face doubts or desire tangible proof of God’s presence, we can turn to His Word, where His faithfulness, wisdom, and power are clearly revealed. Miracles remind us that God is active and present, but these events fade away and cannot sustain us. God’s Word and Spirit, though, remain constant and unchanging. Through Scripture, we come to know the heart of God and the depth of His promises, which endure far beyond any momentary wonder. The Holy Spirit continues to work within us, transforming our hearts, convicting us of truth, and empowering us to live out our faith. As we grow in trust and obedience, we learn that the greatest miracle of all is the redemption and renewal God brings to our lives through Jesus Christ.

Recap

understand

• The biblical sign gifts—miracles, healings, tongues, and prophecy—were given to confirm God’s message and authenticate His messengers.
• The sign gifts were exercised during key periods of revelation—under Moses, Elijah and Elisha, and Jesus and the apostles.
• While God still performs miracles today, we are called to rest our faith on the enduring truth of Scripture and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

reflect

• How has God provided you with reassurance of your faith?
• In what ways have you experienced God’s power working in your life through His Word and Spirit?
• How can you cultivate deeper trust in God’s unchanging truth, even when you don’t see extraordinary signs or wonders?

engage

• What do the biblical sign gifts teach us about God’s purpose for miracles throughout history?
• How can we discern between genuine movements of God’s Spirit and emotional or human-driven experiences?
• What does the rarity in miraculous signs, even in the Bible, reveal about how God communicates to humanity?