From the book of Acts it is clear that there were many public miracles being performed by the apostles during the early formative stages of the church. Jesus himself gave them authority to drive out demons and cure diseases (Luke 9:1). In the context of Scripture as a whole, however, miracles are relatively rare and seen only at certain times (e.g., the exodus and invasion of Canaan, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha). This suggests that they accompany significant moments in redemptive history and that they are not normative for everyday experience. Significantly with the apostles, since they were the eyewitnesses and earwitnesses of Jesus who laid the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20), their miracles served to authenticate their message (see Hebrews 2:3–4). With their message having been communicated and the foundational phase of church having been completed, we should not expect to see miracles as a regular occurrence today. Certainly God has the power to do as he wishes and he can work miracles if it pleases him to do so. But the pattern of Scripture tempers our expectations. The next significant moment in redemptive history, that is, the return of Christ, is when we expect to see various extraordinary signs and wonders taking place once again.