HDR Candidate: Olushola, Adeboye (David)


Title of Project An investigation into human experiences and perspectives on signs and wonders: Comparative analyses between Sweden and Nigeria (working title)
Course of Study Master of Philosophy
Language of Instruction English
Abstract

The scriptures are replete when it comes to the subject of signs and wonders a ending to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible itself testifies that the gospel carries the power of God to enable salvation for the ungodly (Roman 1:16). Our Lord Jesus encouraged some of his followers and those that opposed and refused to believe in him to look at the miracles that was wrought in his ministry and be persuaded by them. John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

There is no doubt about it that God’s agenda in giving the world his Son is salvation for all (1 John 2:2. John 3:16). Even so, the goal of every preacher or minister of the gospel is to get people to believe in God or to win souls for Christ, hence, if signs and wonders will get the job done, why should they be absent in modern day Christian movement seeing many are headed for darkness?

Jesus affirmed again the significance of signs and wonders when John wondered and doubted if he was the Messiah.

Mathew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Jesus dismissed any argument that miracles were only to confirm that he was the Son of God or that it was only meant to validate the apostles’ ministries;

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

There is no doubt in my heart that God is not averse to winning souls by working miracles;

1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles;…

The more we have signs and wonders, the more people will be liberated from the oppression of the devil and translated into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Conclusively, the more miracles, the more the gospel will be believed.