The Source of Faith

 “Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

(Acts 13:12 ESV)

As we read through the gospels, as well as the book of Acts, many miracles are recorded for us. And we tend to think that these works of God caused many to come to faith. We tend to think that they were instrumental in the growth of the early church.

This leads us to believe that, apart from miraculous works, people will not be saved. We believe that, apart from miraculous works, it’s much harder for people to believe in Jesus. We believe, quite frankly, that miracles are more persuasive than the Word of God.

As we look at the circumstances in Acts 13, however, we see otherwise. Paul had brought the Word of God to the proconsul on the island of Salamis, off the coast of Greece. And, as he did so, a false prophet actively opposed him.

Paul informed this false prophet that the hand of the Lord was upon him. And this was not a blessing. It was, rather, a judgment. The Lord, Paul declared, would make him unable to see for a time.

Immediately, darkness fell upon him. He was unable to see. And he was left seeking people to lead him by the hand.

It’s in this context that we read the words above. We’re told that, then, the proconsul believed. He believed, when he saw what occurred. He believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Reading this, we have to ask ourselves: Did the miracle that he witnessed play a role in his faith? And we have to answer that question in the affirmative. But it wasn’t the miracle itself.

He was astonished not at the miracle. He was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. He was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.

The miracle was connected with the teaching of the Lord. It was connected with the doctrine of the Lord. But it was the teaching itself that imparted faith.

Paul tells us as much in Romans 10:17. “So faith comes from hearing,” Paul writes, “and hearing through the word of Christ.” Apart from the word, then, apart from the teaching of the Lord, there can be no faith.

Although miracles are a great blessing, and although they can play a role in upholding the Word being taught, they do not impart faith on their own. The Word can impart faith apart from miracles. But miracles cannot impart faith apart from the Word.

So, while we should always welcome the miraculous, and while we should never refuse the mighty work of God, we must place our emphasis on the preaching of the Word. Should God provide a miracle as we do so, we should praise him for it. But, again, faith is given, it’s provided, through the Word of God.