Signs of continuity: The sign-function of miracles in the ministries of Jesus and Paul as evidence of shared convictions

This study explores an overlooked similarity between Jesus and Paul within the Jesus-Paul debate, namely, the place of miracles within their ministries. It particularly focuses on three "sign-functions" that the miracles of both seem to demonstrate. Chapter One sets up the background for the question and surveys relevant literature.;Chapter Two first argues for the historicity of both Jesus and Paul as miracle-workers and argues that miracles accompanied their messages. Second, this chapter argues that for both Jesus and Paul miracles in some sense realized the gracious inclusion they proclaimed. For both Jesus and Paul, miracles were signs of gracious inclusion .;Chapter Three considers the issue of miracles as authentication. It argues first that both Jesus and Paul presented miracles as divine authorization in some sense. Yet the counterpoint is also treated---at the same time both resisted a faith based on miracles and rejected the demand for a sign. Finally the chapter considers how both Jesus and Paul combined numinous power with a lifestyle of what may generally be called weakness. Their miracles were thus (qualified) signs of authoritative power with a lifestyle weakness.;Chapter Four takes up the issue of miracles and eschatology. It argues that for both Jesus and Paul, miracles were part of eschatological fulfillment. For both Jesus and Paul, then, miracles were signs of the new age .;Chapter Five takes up three issues. First, it argues that, while Paul is silent on the subject, it is likely that he does know of Jesus' miracles. Second, it argues against some elements of discontinuity between Jesus and Paul as miracle-workers as presented by Twelftree's Paul and the Miraculous (2013). Third, it marshals arguments for Paul's historical dependence on Jesus for his miracle-working ministry.;Chapter Six summarizes the study. It argues that we do have similarity between Jesus and Paul as miracle-workers, both in the "mere" fact of both being presented as miracle-workers, but also in the three sign-functions explored. Beyond this, as far as dependence, it argues that if one accepts Paul's knowledge of Jesus' miracles, it is probable that one will also accept that Paul is at some level imitating this aspect of Jesus' ministry.