Is raising the dead still possible today?

The Bible records multiple occasions of people being literally raised from the dead. In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah cried out to God and saw the widow’s son restored to life (1 Kings 17:22). Elisha also raised the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:33–36) and, astonishingly, a dead man was revived when his body came into contact with Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:21). In the New Testament, Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40–56), the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17), and Lazarus from the tomb after four days (John 11:43–44). After Jesus’ crucifixion, even more remarkable events occurred: “The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matthew 27:52, ESV). The apostles were also given power over death: Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9:40–41), and Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9–12).

These accounts demonstrate beyond doubt that bringing the dead to life is not beyond God’s power. Scripture affirms, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Since the character and power of God do not change, it follows that raising the dead remains possible today if God so chooses. There is no indication in Scripture that He has permanently withdrawn this ability from His sovereign purposes. Instead, we are told that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

The question, then, is not can God raise the dead—He certainly can—but does He still raise the dead today? Some believers in different parts of the world share testimonies of apparent resurrections in answer to fervent prayer. While such accounts are difficult to verify, the biblical principle remains true: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and working in the world today. According to Ephesians 1:19–20, the resurrection power that raised Christ “is for us who believe.”

It is important to remember, however, that God’s miracles are always accomplished according to His will, not our demands. In John 11, Jesus permitted Lazarus to die so that a greater glory could be displayed through his resurrection. Likewise, in some cases today, God may glorify Himself by granting miraculous intervention. At other times, He may choose to display His glory in providing comfort, sustaining grace, or pointing us to the ultimate hope of the final resurrection. As Paul testifies, “We despaired of life itself. . . . But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9).

For Christians, the ultimate assurance is not whether temporary earthly resurrections occur, but in the guaranteed, final resurrection when Christ returns. Jesus promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest demonstration that death has already been defeated and that all who belong to Him will one day be raised to eternal life.

Therefore, while not common and always subject to God’s sovereign will, raising the dead is still within the realm of God’s power today. When He chooses to act in such ways, these miracles point to His authority over life and death and serve as a foretaste of the glorious day when “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Until that day, believers should continue to pray boldly, trust humbly, and place their confidence in the One who raised Christ from the dead and will raise us also with Him (2 Corinthians 4:14).