My questions from book of John

[GraceAnn2]

John 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."

As a new believer, I am reading the book of John. This passage seems to indicate that those who believe, shall through the power of Christ do greater works because Christ does them in us and because He does the will of His Father.
Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Peripatetic]

Good question! Most interpretations of this verse relate it to the the works of ministry. While Jesus started the new church, the apostles - through the power of the Holy Spirit - were able to reach even more people after he ascended into Heaven. It's kind of amazing when you think about it. A small fringe Jewish group called "The Way" (later called Christians) grew from a few people meeting in homes to the ends of the Earth. And 2,000 years later, we are still going strong. Those are "great works" made possible through God's sovereign plan for us.

 

[GraceAnn2]

Thanks for the background on that passage. I was also wondering if Jesus gave the apostles power to work miracles just as He had done, as part of the ministry you mentioned above?

 

[Peripatetic]

The book of Acts shows that the apostles did participate in numerous miracles, but of course they came through the power of God. A quick Google search found this:

I. INDIVIDUAL MIRACULOUS PHENOMENA
A. Resuscitations from the Dead
1. Peter raises the disciple Tabitha 9, 36-42
2. Paul raises the young man Eutychus 20, 9-12
B. Miraculous Cures and Exorcisms
1. Peter heals the lame man at the Temple gate 3, 1-16
2. Ananias cures Saul of his blindness 9, 17-18
3. Peter heals the paralytic Aeneas 9, 33-35
4. Paul cures the lame man of Lystra 14, 7-9
5. Paul stoned and miraculously healed at Lystra 14, 19
6. Paul exorcises girl possessed of divining spirit 16, 16-18
7. Paul heals Publius’ father of dysentery 28, 7-8
C. Miraculous Penalties or Afflictions
1. Ananias and Saphira struck dead at Peter’s feet 5, 5-11
2. Saul struck blind on the road to Damascus 9, 8-9
3. Herod suddenly slain by an angel 12, 23
4. Paul temporarily blinds the sorcerer Elymas 13, 9-12
D. Nature or Cosmic Miracles
1. Violent wind at the Cenacle in Jerusalem 2, 2-6
2. Shaking of the assembly building in Jerusalem 4, 31
3. Prison doors open for the Apostles 5, 17-25
4. Philip snatched by the Spirit of the Lord 8, 39
5. Peter liberated from prison by an angel 12, 5-11
6. Chains fall from Paul and Silas 16, 25-30
7. Paul shakes off viper from his arm 28, 3-6


II.

COLLECTIVE MIRACULOUS PHENOMENA
1. Many signs and wonders done by the Apostles in Jerusalem 2, 43
2. Apostles perform signs and wonders among the people 5, 12
3. Peter’s shadow cures many in the streets 5, 15
4. Multitudes from outside Jerusalem are healed 5, 16
5. Stephen works great signs and wonders 6, 8
6. Philip cures crippled and possessed in Samaria 8, 6-8, 13
7. Miracles worked by Paul and Barnabas on mission journey 14, 3
8. Great signs and wonders done among the Gentiles 15, 12
9. Miracles worked through objects touched by Paul 19, 11-12
10. Paul heals all the sick brought to him on Malta 28, 9

The details of these events are not always complete, and we are lead to believe that many others were not recorded. These miracles helped to strengthen their case. We have to remember that many thought of Christians as a fringe sect, and they needed some power behind their words to gain traction among the many pagan religions that were very strong back then.

 

[GraceAnn2]

Excellent response to my question regarding miracles. Thanks bunches!

 

[Ronald]

John 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."

The "greater works" don't include things equivalent to or more than the creation of the universe or life, ordering the stars and planets and bringing rain, obviously! He lets us participate in creating a baby which is a miraculous thing. I haven't seen anyone walk on water, but he allowed Peter to -- once. I agree with the other comments pertaining to saving souls and miraculous healings, etc. "We can do all things in Christ who strengthens us" correlates to this verse as well. We can move mountains -- with bull dozers! We can say to this tree, you will no longer produce fruit and then chop it down! We dream and hope with faith and our dreams become realized. We can do amazing things but it is God who is working in us to do them for we can do nothing without Him.

 

[GraceAnn2]

Thanks Ronald. You even made me smile with your fruitless tree.