The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

161
4. RAISING THE DEAD—Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead by the power of
God (Jn. 10:18; Acts 3:15; Rom. 1:4). Others raised from the dead:
Old Testament Cases
Zarephath’s son was raised from the dead by Elijah (I Kgs. 17:17-24).
The Shunamite woman’s son was brought back from the dead by Elisha
(II Kgs. 14:18-38).
Elisha’s dead bones revived a dead man who touched his bones as he was lowered
into Elisha’s tomb (II Kgs. 13:14-21).
New Testament Cases
Jairus’ daughter was raised by Jesus (Mt. 9:18-26).
Widow’s son was raised by Jesus at Nain (Lk. 7:11-17).
Lazarus was raised by Jesus (Jn. 11:1-44).
Tabitha was raised by Peter at Joppa (Acts 9:39-42).
Eutychus appears to have been raised by Paul (Acts 20:9-12).
“Many holy people” who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs
after Jesus’ resurrection and appeared in the holy city of Jerusalem (Mt. 27:52-53).
Aside from Jesus’ raising from the dead, these are the only recorded incidents we find in the
Old and New Testaments.
It seems historically that miracles have not occurred in a regular, consistent pattern. Most
of the recorded miracles during the period of the Bible took place in three major clusters. These
were:
1) The Moses-Joshua Period which records the miracles which occurred during the Exodus
events, the wilderness wanderings and the conquest of Canaan. This period marked the
beginning of God’s program for Israel as a nation and helped to strengthen her faith in
Jehovah.
2) The Elijah-Elisha Period which records the miracles that encouraged Israel to trust God
during a time of dangerously widespread apostasy.
3) The Jesus-Peter-Paul Period which records the miracles that marked the beginning of
God’s program for the body of Christ, the church.