O que são milagres e qual o seu propósito na Bíblia?

O que a Bíblia ensina sobre os milagres

Na Bíblia, o milagre é uma intervenção direta e soberana de Deus na história humana, alterando o curso natural dos fatos para cumprir um propósito divino. Eles nunca acontecem como mero espetáculo: nas Escrituras, cada ato extraordinário funciona como um sinal que revela quem Deus é, confirma a Sua palavra e aponta para o Seu Reino.

Desde o livramento de Israel no Mar Vermelho até os feitos narrados nos profetas, o milagre testemunha que o Criador não está limitado pelas leis da própria criação.

27 Look! I am the Lord, the God of everyone. Is anything too hard for me to do?(Jeremiah 32:27)

37 Nothing is impossible for God."(Luke 1:37)

26 Jesus looked at them and said, "From a human point of view it’s impossible, but all things are possible with God."(Matthew 19:26)

21 Then Moses held out his hand over the sea, and all through the night the Lord forced the sea back with a strong east wind, and turned the bottom of the sea into dry land. So the water was divided, 22 and the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water to their right and left.(Exodus 14:21,22)

11 I remember what you have done, Lord; I remember all the wonderful things you did long ago.

12 I will think about all you have accomplished; I will think deeply about how you have acted.(Psalms 77:11,12)

14 You are the God who does wonderful things! You have revealed your power to the nations.(Psalms 77:14)

A fé e a soberania divina

Nos Evangelhos, Jesus frequentemente associa o milagre à confiança de quem se aproxima dele. No entanto, a Bíblia não trata a fé como uma força mágica ou um mecanismo de barganha que obriga Deus a agir; a fé bíblica é a certeza humilde de que Deus tem poder para intervir segundo a Sua própria vontade.

A falta de fé, por outro lado, revela um coração fechado à ação divina, como ocorreu na própria cidade de Jesus, onde a incredulidade impediu o reconhecimento dos Seus feitos.

20 "Because you don’t trust enough," Jesus told them. "I tell you, even if your trust was as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you."(Matthew 17:20)

23 "Why do you say, ‘if you can?’" replied Jesus. "Whoever trusts has every power!"(Mark 9:23)

50 But when he heard this, Jesus told Jairus, "Don’t be afraid. If you trust, she will be healed."(Luke 8:50)

21 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "If you really trust in God, and don’t doubt him, you could not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even more. If you said to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ it would happen!(Matthew 21:21)

58 Since they failed to trust in him, he did not do many miracles there.(Matthew 13:58)

27 Looking right at them, Jesus replied, "From a human point of view, it’s impossible—but not with God. Everything is possible with God."(Mark 10:27)

27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible in human terms is possible for God."(Luke 18:27)

Os milagres de Jesus: cura, provisão e misericórdia

O ministério terreno de Cristo foi marcado por atos de compaixão diante da dor humana. Em Caná da Galileia, na cura da mulher encurvada ou na multiplicação dos pães, Jesus respondeu à aflição concreta das pessoas e demonstrou autoridade sobre doenças, carências materiais e forças da natureza.

Essas ações serviram para atestar publicamente que ele era o Messias prometido, inaugurando o tempo da reconciliação com Deus.

11 This was the very first of Jesus' miraculous signs, and was performed in Cana of Galilee. Here he revealed his glory, and his disciples put their trust in him.(John 2:11)

16 Jesus picked up the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed the food and broke it into pieces. He kept on giving the food to the disciples to share with the people. 17 Everybody ate until they were full, and then twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.(Luke 9:16,17)

10 One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not stand straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and told her, "You’re freed of your sickness." 13 Then he placed his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up, and she praised God.

14 However, the synagogue leader was upset that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He said to the crowd, "There are six days for work. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

15 But the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn’t every one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and take it to drink? 16 Why shouldn’t this woman, this daughter of Abraham whom Satan has kept tied up for eighteen years, be untied and set free this Sabbath day?"

17 What he said shamed all his opponents, but everyone in the crowd was delighted by all the wonderful things he was doing.(Luke 13:10-17)

49 but when they saw him walking on the water they thought he was a ghost. They screamed out 50 because they could all see him and were absolutely terrified.

Jesus told them right away: "Don’t worry, it’s me. Don’t be afraid!"(Mark 6:49,50)

14 When the people saw this miracle, they said, "Surely this is the Prophet who was to come into the world."(John 6:14)

15 Such a prayer, trusting in God, will heal those who are sick, and the Lord will make them well. If they’ve committed sins, they will be forgiven. 16 Admit the wrongs you’ve done to each other, and pray for one another so that you’ll be healed. Earnest prayer from those who live right is very effective.(James 5:15,16)

17 Elijah was a man who had the same human nature as we do. He prayed earnestly that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three and a half years. 18 He prayed again—heaven sent rain and the earth gave its harvest.(James 5:17,18)

Sinais na igreja primitiva e a pregação do Evangelho

Após a ascensão de Jesus, o livro de Atos registra apóstolos e discípulos realizando sinais extraordinários no nome de Jesus. O objetivo desses acontecimentos era autenticar a mensagem da cruz diante de judeus e gentios, fortalecendo a proclamação da verdade em meio à perseguição.

As cartas do Novo Testamento mostram que a operação de milagres também faz parte dos dons distribuídos pelo Espírito Santo para a edificação da comunidade de fé.

22 People of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man confirmed by God to you by the powerful miracles and signs that God performed through him, right here among you—as you well know.(Acts 2:22)

31 When they had finished praying, the building they were meeting in was shaken. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God boldly.(Acts 4:31)

11 God performed unusual miracles through Paul, 12 so much so that they took handkerchiefs or aprons Paul had touched to heal the sick and to drive out evil spirits.(Acts 19:11,12)

12 Yet the marks of an apostle were patiently demonstrated among you—signs, wonders, and powerful miracles.(2 Corinthians 12:12)

8 One person is given by the Spirit the ability to speak words of wisdom. Another is given a message of knowledge by the same Spirit. 9 Another receives the gift of strongly trusting in God by the same Spirit. Another receives gifts of healing from that one Spirit. 10 Another is given the ability to perform miracles. Another receives the gift of prophecy. Another is given the gift of spiritual discernment. Another receives the ability to speak different languages, while another is given the gift of interpreting languages.(1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

28 In the church, God has arranged first for some to be apostles, secondly for some to be prophets, thirdly teachers. Then there are those who perform miracles, those with healing gifts, those who can help others, those good at administration, and those who can speak different languages.(1 Corinthians 12:28)

39 "Don’t stop him," Jesus replied. "For no one who is doing miracles in my name can curse me at the same time. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us.(Mark 9:39,40)

O milagre maior: a encarnação e a ressurreição

Embora curas físicas e provisões alimentares façam parte da narrativa bíblica, o ápice da intervenção de Deus na história é a pessoa de Jesus Cristo. Seu nascimento de uma virgem e sua ressurreição dentre os mortos constituem a vitória definitiva sobre o pecado e a morte.

O apóstolo João conclui que o valor central desses registros não é alimentar a curiosidade, mas levar quem lê a crer que Jesus é o Filho de Deus e, crendo, ter vida eterna.

14 This is why the Lord himself is going to give you a sign. Look! The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will call him Immanuel.(Isaiah 7:14)

22 (Now this all happened to fulfill what the Lord said through the prophet: 23 "A virgin will become pregnant, and will give birth to a son. They will call him Immanuel," which means "God with us.")(Matthew 1:22,23)

9 After Jesus had told them this, he was taken up as they were watching and a cloud hid him from their sight.(Acts 1:9)

7 I fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’(Acts 22:7)

8 Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first went inside as well. 9 He looked around and believed it was true—for up till then they hadn’t understood the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.(John 20:8,9)

29 "You trust in me because you’ve seen me," Jesus told him. "Happy are those that haven’t seen me yet still trust in me."

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs while he was with his disciples that are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written down here so that you may trust that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by trusting in him as he is you will have life.(John 20:29-31)

O discernimento contra sinais enganosos

As Escrituras advertem com firmeza: a manifestação de algo sobrenatural não é garantia de que sua origem seja divina. Tanto o Antigo quanto o Novo Testamento ensinam que sinais podem ser imitados ou usados para desviar o povo da verdade.

Jesus e os profetas alertaram contra a busca doentia por prodígios e condenaram a postura daqueles que viram milagres evidentes, mas se recusaram a se arrepender de seus caminhos.

1 Maybe a prophet or someone who has dreams about the future will come along and give you a prediction about some sign or miracle, 2 and the sign or wonder happens. If after that they tell you, "Let’s follow other gods that you don’t know, and let’s worship them," 3 then you must not listen to what that prophet or dreamer has to say because the Lord your God is trying to find out whether you really love him with all your mind and with all your being.

4 You are to follow the Lord your God and respect him. Keep his commandments and do what he says; worship him and hold onto him.(Deuteronomy 13:1-4)

38 Then some of the religious teachers and Pharisees came to him and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign."

39 "An evil and adulterous generation are the ones who look for a miraculous sign. The only sign they will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah," Jesus told them. 40 "In the same way Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.(Matthew 12:38-40)

20 Then he began to reprimand the towns where he’d done most of his miracles because they had not repented. 21 "Shame on you, Korazin! Shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. 22 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you! 23 And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you’ll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today. 24 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!"(Matthew 11:20-24)

13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 14 These are demonic spirits that perform miracles, going out to gather together all the kings of the whole world for the battle on God the All-powerful One’s great day of judgment.(Revelation 16:13,14)

O testemunho contínuo da criação

Além dos eventos que rompem o curso normal do mundo, a Bíblia reconhece que a manutenção diária da vida e a complexidade do ser humano já revelam a grandeza miraculosa de Deus. Toda a ordem criada aponta para o Criador que a sustenta momento a momento.

13 You made me from the inside out, shaping me in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you for making me in such an awesome and wonderful way. What you do is incredible—I realize this completely!(Psalms 139:13,14)

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the amazing things you have done.(Psalms 9:1)

37 As he approached Jerusalem, right where the road goes down from the Mount of Olives, the crowd of disciples all began shouting joyful praises to God at the top of their voices for all the miracles they had seen.

38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord," they shouted. "Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven."(Luke 19:37,38)

1 The Lord told Moses, "Go and see Pharaoh, because it was me who gave him and his officials a stubborn attitude so that I may perform my miracles before them. 2 This is so you can tell your children and grandchildren how I made the Egyptians look foolish by doing these miracles among them, and so that you may know that I am the Lord."(Exodus 10:1,2)