To argue against the contention that the need for signs and wonders passed away with the canonization of the Bible as we have it today might seem to belabor the obvious. Still, there are those who continue to hold to that belief. I believe we have Scriptures that clearly declare that signs and wonders will continue until Christ returns at the end of this age.

[Mark 16:14-20] Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; . . . they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (NKJ)

Here we discover that the gospel is to be preached to every creature, and the signs and wonders will be the confirmation that it the truth from God.

[Matthew 24:14] "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (NKJ)

Here we discover that the gospel will be preached until the "end" which is when Christ returns.

[Hebrews 2:3-4] how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness [Matthew 10:7-8] "And as you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (NKJ)

[Matthew 10:7-8] As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Here are confirming Scriptures that declare that signs and wonders are to accompany the preaching of the gospel.

Still, there are those who argue that Mark 16:9-20 was added later since two of the older manuscripts omit it. In Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, he points out that there are at least 618 manuscripts of the New Testament that include it but only two that omit it. And one of these has a space where it is missing. Also, if it was added later, it must have been based on experience.

Note: Possibly these older manuscripts may have been laid aside and remained in existence because they were damaged. Damage to the outside of the scroll could have been where the end of Mark was written.

Finally, consider how many times the Scriptures mention those who have eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear.

[Matthew 13:11-16] He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: `Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.' "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; (NKJ)

It is doubtful that those who believe that signs and wonders are not for today will ever experience them.

If you are uncertain, go to Miracles.

1. The Southern Baptists have traditionally held to this doctrine, but there are more and more voices being raised within their own denomination that are refuting it.