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Missionary Claims #4

Claim #4: Miracles prove the validity of Christianity

Some "Hebrew Christians" argue that turning to Jesus changed their lives and that, as a direct result, they have even experienced miracles.

The Jewish Response

Claims of miracles and of changes in one's life are not unique to any one religion. Converts to cults and to other religions also relate miraculous experiences and events in their lives. The Jewish Bible warns that supposed "miracles" may, in reality, be a test from G-d. A classic example of this is found in the beginning of Chapter 13 of the book of Deuteronomy:

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises and gives you a sign or wonder [miracle], and the sign or wonder comes true, saying, 'le us go after other gods whom you have not known and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your G-d is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your G-d and fear Him; and listen to His voice, and serve Him, and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your G-d." (Deuteronomy 13:1-6)

These verses teach us that G-d may allow a false prophet to perform miracles in order to test us to see whether we will follow His will or be misled by so-called miraculous occurrences.

We also see, from Exodus 7:11, that miracles do not necessarily have to be attributed to G-d. In this passage, Pharaoh commands his court magicians to imitate, with their magic, the miracles that Moses and Aaron performed.

These two examples illustrate that we cannot rely upon miracles as proof that our beliefs are true.