A thief, 3000 people and the purpose of miracles

Luke 23
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

The first criminal disputes whether Jesus is the Christ, telling him to not only save himself but “us”. The other rebuked him, saying “do you not even fear God” and went on to acknowledge the deity of Christ by calling Him “Lord” and asking Jesus to remember him “when You come into your kingdom”. This thief had no idea what he was asking but one thing is clear – he came to a saving faith in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

Acts 2
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

First and foremost, notice that the last word these people received was that “God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ”. The brevity of the word preached in Acts 2 is telling and culminates with the declaration of the deity of Christ. These people are asked to “repent” - or change their mind - “be baptized” to identify themselves with the one true God - “for” because their sins have been forgiven when they were cut to the heart. Did these people need a doctorate in theology? Were they masters of the language of the day? There were three thousand people, some could hardly have been the sharpest knife in the drawer. Yet three thousand souls were added that day. How? No in depth studies, no internet, no concordance or commentary. They believed. They believed in the one true God, identifying themselves with Him through baptism. Furthermore, they go on to praise who? God. They praise Him for having favor with all people – that anyone can be eternally saved through SIMPLE belief in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

John 20
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

What is the obvious reason that Jesus would perform signs and miracles? Was it so we would believe that He is the guarantor of eternal life or that we would believe He is God? The supernatural events were a direct reflection of His supernatural seed. When the apostles performed miracles they were to authenticate the message – the same message – that Jesus is the one true God and through believing this you may have life in His name.