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.).

52. The manifestation of the Lord, and admission into the spiritual world, surpass all miracles. This has not been granted to anyone since the creation, as it has been to me. The men of the golden age, indeed, conversed with angels; but it was not granted to them to be in any other than natural light; to me, however, it is granted to be at the same time both in spiritual and in natural light. By this means it has been granted to me to see the wonderful things of heaven, to be among angels as one of them, and at the same time to imbibe truths in light, and thus to perceive and teach them; consequently, to be led by the Lord. But as concerns miracles: they would have been nothing else than snares to lead astray, as the Lord says (Matthew 24:24); and as is related of Simon the sorcerer, that he "bewitched the people of Samaria," who believed that these things were done from "the great power of God" (Acts of the Apostles 8:9 et seq.). What else are the miracles among the Papists, than snares and deceptions? What else do they teach, than that they themselves ought to be worshipped as deities, and that men should give up the worship of the Lord? Have wonder-working images any other effect? Have the idols or dead bodies of saints throughout Popedom any other purpose? Those of Anthony of Padua, of the three wise men of Cologne, and of all the rest, whose miracles fill the monasteries? What have they taught concerning Christ? What concerning heaven and eternal life? Not a syllable.