Miracles as Deeds of Mercy?

I got this from a reader, and thought it would be the subject for a good discussion.

How would you answer his questions?

I was hesitant to write this because I know you’re busy and I don’t want to treat you like “my personal study Bible”. However, there has been something on my mind lately. I am part of what you might classify as a “neo-reformed” church plant. We are baptist, calvinistic and complementarian.

As a church we have been going through the book of Acts and our pastor outlines for us some signs of a healthy church (or things we should be doing as a church); these things include devoting ourselves to the apostles teaching, to breaking bread and fellowship. One of the things that our church does not stress is social action.

As I have been reading through Luke-Acts I have been seeing more and more what you have been talking about; the kingdom is the society/new world order where God’s will is done. Jesus’ inaugral sermon and Galilee ministry really shows how miracles and proclamation of God’s kingdom are central to his mission, a mission that seems to be handed over to the apostles.

My question is, “What is the connection, if any, between Jesus’ and the Apostles’ deeds of power and our deeds of mercy?” Miracles seem to display the presence of God’s kingdom and the reality of Jesus as the risen and reigning Messiah. Do our deeds of love have any connection to the miracles they performed? Do they display the presence and power of God’s kingdom?