Does God still perform miracles today?

I have spoken to many believers over the years who wonder whether miracles still happen.

They read about astonishing events in the Bible—seas parting, the blind gaining sight, the dead raised—and question if those acts of divine power remain possible in our modern world.

As a theology professor, I find the question both challenging and rewarding, because it invites us to revisit Scripture and reflect on how God interacts with His creation today.

Miracles in the Old and New Testaments

Biblical miracles often show God intervening in dramatic ways to fulfill a specific purpose.

The Exodus story, for instance, recounts the parting of the Red Sea, demonstrating God’s power to liberate the Israelites from slavery.

In the Gospels, we see Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons, as well as resurrecting individuals like Lazarus, each miracle serving as a sign of Christ’s authority and compassion.

Yet Scripture also notes that not every moment in biblical history brims with supernatural wonders.

There are periods of relative “silence” when no major miracles are recorded.

This pattern suggests miracles occur according to God’s wisdom and timing, not in a constant or formulaic manner.

Early Church Witness

In the early church, believers reported manifestations of healing, prophetic words, and other signs of divine power.

The Book of Acts portrays a community emboldened by the Holy Spirit, performing miracles that confirmed the message of Jesus’ resurrection.

Church fathers like Irenaeus and Tertullian referenced accounts of healing and deliverance in local congregations, underscoring their belief that miraculous events had not ceased with the apostolic age.

At the same time, caution arose regarding fabricated or exaggerated miracles. The early church stressed discernment, reminding believers that genuine miracles lead to greater reverence for God.

A miracle, in this sense, was more than a spectacle—it was a demonstration that pointed back to the risen Christ.

Miracles Through Church History

Throughout history, various Christian traditions have reported miraculous healings and divine interventions.

Catholicism, for example, has a canonization process requiring documented miracles, typically medically unexplainable healings, to confirm sainthood.

Evangelical and Pentecostal circles speak of modern-day miracles as a continuation of God’s work through the Holy Spirit.

These accounts encourage many believers yet also raise questions about authenticity.

Church leaders often investigate claims of miracles, seeking medical verification or corroborating testimonies.

This careful approach underscores that while Christians affirm God’s power, they also acknowledge the risks of deception or misunderstandings.

A Spectrum of Christian Views

Some argue that miraculous gifts ended with the apostles, a position often called cessationism. Others, known as continuationists, contend that the Holy Spirit continues to operate just as in the New Testament era.

Between these two poles, there are believers who hold that God can and does work miracles but do not expect them on demand.

All these views grapple with the same tension: Scripture shows a God who can intervene powerfully, but not at our command.

Regardless of perspective, the core truth remains that God is sovereign and beyond human manipulation.

Miracles, if they occur, serve His purposes rather than our agendas.

Divine Purpose Behind Miracles

A consistent biblical theme is that miracles are signs pointing to God’s character and mission.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ miraculous acts often illustrate deeper truths about His identity—turning water into wine at Cana foreshadows the new covenant, for instance.

When we focus only on the outward spectacle, we risk missing the larger spiritual message.

From a theological standpoint, miracles also highlight God’s compassion.

Many of Jesus’ healings were born out of love for people suffering under illness or oppression. Such compassion-driven interventions remind us that God cares about humanity’s well-being, both physically and spiritually.

Modern Testimonies and Skepticism

Today, it is not uncommon to hear testimonies of unexplainable recoveries, financial provision at the last minute, or even more dramatic occurrences attributed to God’s intervention.

While skeptics attribute these stories to coincidence or placebo effects, believers often interpret them as divine responses to prayer.

Discernment remains vital—Christians are encouraged to verify claims where possible and seek wisdom if an event appears questionable.

Medical science offers many explanations for healing, of course, yet there are cases doctors find perplexing.

In some instances, people show sudden improvements or complete recoveries with no apparent medical reason. For those of faith, such events can reinforce the belief that God remains active in the world.

Faith, Prayer, and God’s Will

When discussing modern miracles, prayer naturally comes to the forefront.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray with faith, yet also submitted to the Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane. This dual emphasis frames the Christian’s approach: we ask boldly, but ultimately trust God’s wisdom.

Sometimes miracles happen, and sometimes they do not.

God’s sovereignty, rather than lack of faith, is central to understanding why some prayers produce extraordinary results and others lead to a different outcome.

In every case, the believer’s posture is to remain confident in God’s goodness, even when circumstances do not align with immediate expectations.

Miracles and the Greater Redemptive Plan

Scripture presents miracles as milestones on a grand narrative of redemption.

The ultimate hope, according to the New Testament, is not in periodic miracles but in the final restoration God will bring—a new heaven and a new earth.

In that consummation, the brokenness of this world ceases entirely, and the need for extraordinary interventions fades.

Seeing miracles in light of this future hope provides context.

God may heal now, but the greater miracle is the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Earthly miracles serve as foretastes of that ultimate renewal, pointing us forward to the day suffering ends forever.

So, Does God still perform miracles today?

Many believers think so, citing historical precedent, biblical testimony, and current-day experiences that defy natural explanations.

Others maintain a more cautious stance, but few deny that Scripture speaks of a God capable of wondrous deeds.

In my theology classes, I often conclude that miracles, by definition, are not predictable events guaranteed by any formula of prayer.

They belong to God’s sovereign realm, serving divine purposes that often exceed human understanding.

For the faithful, recognizing the possibility of miracles fosters humility, gratitude, and a deeper awe of the One who holds creation in His hands.