Scripture Confirmations of New Church Doctrine [Brief Latin Title: Dicta Probantia]

1. The Apostles; Miracles

The apostles are named (Acts of the Apostles 1:13, 26).

Judas the traitor burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out (Acts of the Apostles 1:16-19).

Many miracles and signs were done by the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 2:43). Peter and John healed the lame man sitting at the gate of the temple, therefore all were astonished, but when the priests heard them preaching about Jesus, they laid hands upon them, thrust them into prison, and afterwards having threatened them sent them away because of the people (Acts of the Apostles 3:1-20; 4). This miracle was done in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles 4:10, 30).

Many miracles done by the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 5:12, 5:15, 5:16), but yet they were put in prison by the high priest, and although they were led out thence by an angel miraculously, yet they were beaten, and warned not to preach concerning Jesus (verses 29-40).

Stephen also did great signs and miracles (Acts of the Apostles 6:8).

Miracles done by Philip (Acts of the Apostles 8:6, 7, 13).

Simon the sorcerer made himself great in Samaria, saying, here is the great power of God; but he was severely reproved by Peter (Acts of the Apostles 8:9, 10 seq., 20-24).

Miracles done by Peter, and also that he raised the dead to life (Acts of the Apostles 9:33, 34, 36-42).

The miracle of Paul, that a certain man was made blind (Acts of the Apostles 13:11); also others (Acts of the Apostles 19:11, 12; 20:9 seq.; 28:3 seq., 8).

Miracles done by the disciples, and with Paul (Acts of the Apostles 14:3, 8-10, 19, 20; 16:25, 26 seq.).

1. [DICTA PROBANTIA]

APOSTOLI MIRACULA. SECTIO 1.1

Apostoli nominantur, Act. Apost. 1:13, 26.

Quod Judas proditor crepuerit medius, et effusa sint omnia viscera ejus, Act. Ap. 1:16, 17, 18, 19.

Multa miracula et signa per Apostolos facta sunt, Act. Apost. 2:43.

Petrus et Johannes sanaverunt claudum sedentem [ad] januam Templi, unde omnes attoniti, at cum sacerdotes audiverunt illos praedicantes de Jesu, intulerunt illis manus et injecerunt in custodiam, et postea comminati illos propter populum dimiserunt illos, Act. Apost. 3:1 ad 20. Cap. 4, seq:

Quod miraculum hoc factum sit in Nomine Jesu Christi, 4:10, 30.

Miracula multa ab Apostolis, Act. Apost. 5:12, 15, 16. sed usque a Sacerdote magno posuerunt eos in custodia, et tametsi inde ab angelo miraculose educti sunt, sed usque verberati sunt, et comminati ne praedicarent de Jesu, vers: 29 ad 40.

Stephanus etiam fecit signa magna et miracula, Act. Apost. 6:8.

Miracula a Philippo, Act. Apost. 8:6, 7, 13.

Simon magus in Samaria se magnum fecit, dicens hic est virtus Dei magna, sed graviter increpatus est a Petro, Act. Apost. 8:9, 10, seq: 20 ad 24.

Miracula a Petro facta, et quoque quod mortuum excitarit in vitam, Act. Apost. 9:33, 34, 36 ad 42.

Miraculum Pauli, quod quidam factus caecus, Act. Apost. 13:11, tum alia, Cap. 19:11, 12. Cap. 20:9, seq: 28:3, seq: 28:8.

Miracula facta a discipulis, et cum Paulo, Act. Apost. 14:3, 8 ad 10, 19, 20. Cap. 16:25, 26, seq.

The Bible often speaks of signs and miracles as things that convinced people of the Lord's leading. "Signs" convince people to believe intellectually, and "miracles" convince people to believe emotionally. For instance, it was a "sign" for the shepherds that they would find the newborn Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. This was not something that defied explanation; there is nothing impossible about a baby being laid in a manger. On the other hand miracles such as the Nile turning into blood, the Red Sea parting or water being made wine were apparently impossible, striking awe and fear in the hearts of observers and thus compelling the emotions. Both signs and miracles, however, are external events that could only force people into compliance out of fear and awe, which is an external form of worship that has little to do with eternal life. The Lord used them in Biblical times because the people of that time were external in nature, and the Lord had to force them into forms of worship to preserve spiritual ideas and to allow for the Bible to be written. Through His advent and His teachings He opened the possibility that we could understand His spiritual meanings, which would allow us to believe and live internally, not just externally.