Movement of Signs and Wonders: Are Signs and Wonders an Effective Tool in Evangelism?

How do signs and wonders play a part in evangelism? Are they part of evangelism? Rev Philip Tan draws from the Bible and explains.

“Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” (Matthew 4:23-24).

Signs and wonders were very much a part of Jesus’ preaching and teaching ministry while He was on earth, but just how effective are signs and wonders as a tool in evangelism?

Signs and Wonders in Evangelism
Before Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven, He gave to His church the following command to evangelize the world:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

The tool given consists of miraculous signs such as casting out demons, speaking with new tongues, protection from danger, and healing of the sick.

Then He added this promise:

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Quite obviously, the promise was given as a “tool” to help fulfill the task of world evangelization. It is also obvious that the Lord of the Harvest will never, ever give to us any tool that is ineffective. The tool given consists of miraculous signs such as casting out demons, speaking with new tongues, protection from danger, and healing of the sick. The most important condition to be met is that of faith—“these signs will follow those who believe.” The signs will keep following us as long as we are walking in faith. We are told in Matthew 13:58 that Jesus “did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Unbelief hinders the working of miracles.

The Book of Acts is filled with powerful accounts of signs and wonders triggering explosive church growth with multitudes being added to the church. This happened not only in the early church according to the Book of Acts, but also throughout church history right up to the present. The promise that Jesus made that “these signs will follow those who believe” (Mark 16:17) is still in force. Each time God’s presence and power are revealed through signs, wonders, and miracles when the Gospel is preached, faith fills the hearts of those listening to the message. This invariably leads to increased openness and eagerness of people to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

The promise that Jesus made that “these signs will follow those who believe” (Mark 16:17) is still in force. Each time God’s presence and power are revealed through signs, wonders, and miracles when the Gospel is preached, faith fills the hearts of those listening to the message.

Attestation of Messiah, His Ministry and His Message
Besides building up faith, the other uses of signs in evangelism are:
• To attest the divinity of Jesus
• To authenticate His message and His ministry
• To reveal God’s glory, power and authority

Jews, as a nation, are thoroughly acquainted with signs and wonders. As we look back at Israel’s history, we find it is filled with signs, wonders, and miracles performed by spiritual leaders like Moses and Elijah. Confronted with the claims of Jesus, the Jews required a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22). A “sign” is “something which indicates or refers to something else” (Wayne Grudem). They needed to see a sign or signs attesting that Jesus was the Christ, the Anointed One sent by God. Jesus had told them He was the Christ, but they did not believe, so He told them, “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.” (John 10:25)

Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish ruler, observing the signs that Jesus did, said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2).

Besides Nicodemus, many more, Jews and also Gentiles, believed because of the signs. “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?’” (John 7:31)

The signs that Jesus did point to Him as the Christ, the Anointed One, and so paved the way for people to believe in Him. This is of great help in the evangelizing process.

The signs that Jesus did point to Him as the Christ, the Anointed One, and so paved the way for people to believe in Him.

Signs as Written Witnesses
The Gospel of John, sometimes referred to as the Gospel of Belief, showcases certain signs which Jesus did. This was for the specific purpose of satisfying the need for signs that reveal the divinity of Christ, His glory, power, and authority.

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31)

The signs in the Gospel of John continue to serve as persuasive witnesses attesting to who Jesus is, revealing His divinity and His glory, His power and authority, and challenging the reader to believe in Jesus.

Signs and wonders are definitely an effective tool in evangelism and will continue to be so until we come to the close of the Great Commission, when the Gospel of the Kingdom would have been preached in all the world as a witness to all nations. However, its degree of effectiveness depends on how much we recognize the advantages and help it offers and whether we are putting them to good use.

Signs and wonders are definitely an effective tool in evangelism and will continue to be so until we come to the close of the Great Commission, when the Gospel of the Kingdom would have been preached in all the world as a witness to all nations.

Evangelist Rev Philip Tan Kwang Ming, is an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God of Singapore. Ev Philip has a heart for souls and a passion for evangelism and revivals. He has a strong deliverance ministry as well. Ev Philip has ministered in many countries especially in Asia, as well as Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and USA. He holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Leadership from Asia Theological Centre for Evangelism and Missions and was a pastor in his earlier years of ministry.