In a recent social media post Charlie Shamp cited 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 to validate his emphasis on miracles, signs and wonders. Shamp and others like him miss the point, and actually distract from the cross. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says the message of the cross is the power of God. The power of God being referenced isn’t signs, wonders, and miracles.
1 Corinthians 1:22 speaks negatively of resting your faith on a sign. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2 that he determined to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Our faith should rest on the message of the cross, not on a sign, wonder, or miracle. Paul’s point isn’t that the message of the cross isn’t power, his point is that persuasive words of wisdom are not power.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 and my [a]message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not [b]rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who [a]are perishing, but to us who [b]are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22 For indeed Jews ask for [a]signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 1:22 Or attesting miracles
1 Corinthians 2:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
