Did all believers have miraculous power?

Welcome to Midway Church of Christ

What’s Your Question? for July 8, 2009

Jesus told the apostles to preach the gospel, and “he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). Then He said “these signs will follow those who believe” – cast out demons, speak in tongues, take up serpents and drink anything deadly (vs. 17,18). Did all believers have those powers, or certain believers? When Philip went to Samaria, he preached and performed miracles. Many believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12,13). Peter and John went and laid hands on them so they could receive miraculous power of the Spirit, because “they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord” (v. 16). Not all believers had miraculous powers in the first century and none today can do the signs that confirmed the message of the apostles (Mk. 16:15-20).