Resolved: Supernatural phenomena as the primary method of evangelization is God's intention for the

I will be at a premium for space, so lets get to it. My oponent's primary argument is that we see a pattern in the book of Acts. Supernatural phenomena occurred, this caused an opportunity to evangelize, then persons entered the Church. He then states:Of course, there may be slight variation on this pattern; but, most, if not all of the accounts of evangelism in the Early Church as recorded in the New Testament followed most of the steps of this pattern and involved supernatural phenomena. I included the first two examples of evangelism via supernatural phenomena from the Book of Acts. I could continue posting examples from Acts; however, we have a character limit. However, when we actually do continue through the book of Acts, we see quite a different picture begin to shine through. Below are listed every example I could find of evangelism in the book of acts. Starting with chapter 2, and continuing through chapter 18 (After chapter 18 there is limited examples, as the text shifts to Paul's progress towards Rome for trial/execution). Listed in Yellow are examples where Miracles are explicitly the cause for conversion. In Green are instances where both preaching and Signs were instrumental. And listed in Red are examples where Signs were either absent or dentremental. Acts 2:1-37 (Pentecost) – Involved supernatural phenomena, however when the text indicates what causes the conversion it was “when they heard this” Acts 3:1-4:22 (Lame Begger) – Involved supernatural phenomena, but again the text indicates that what impressed them was “the boldness of Peter and John” Acts 5:12-16 (Signs and wonders in Solomon’s Portico) – The text indicates that they did many signs and wonders, however it indicates that this actually caused people NOT to join them. Acts 8:4-8 (Philip in Samaria) – The text indicates that the people paid attention because they heard him and saw the signs he did (the two are hand in hand). Acts 8:9-25 (Simon the Magician) – Says he was amazed by the signs, but says “They believed Philip as he preached good news” and the amazement comes after. Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch) – There is no mention of anything supernatural. Acts 9:19-20 (Saul in the Synagogue) – Those in the Synagogue are amazed by nothing other than his words and changed life Acts 9:32 (Healing of Aeneas) – Conversion is exclusively because of healing Acts 9:36-43 (Healing of Dorcas) – Exclusively because of healing Acts 10:34-48 (Peter preaches to the Gentiles) – In this passage, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles (indicating conversion) prior to any supernatural phenomena Acts 11:19-30 (The Church at Antioch) – The Church at Antioch was converted because of the preaching, there is no mention of any supernatural phenomena prior to the conversion Acts 13:4-12 (The Proconsul at Cyprus) – Although there is supernatural phenomena mentioned, it is the teaching of the Lord that converts that proconsul Acts 13:13-52 (Paul’s first major sermon, Antioch in Pisidia) – There is no mention of any supernatural phenomena. This is exclusively a sermon. Acts 14:1-6 (Paul &Barnabas at Iconium) – No Supernatural Phenomena Acts 14:8-19 (P&B at Lystra) – In this account, the people actually misunderstand the supernatural phenomena and began to view Paul as a God. He was then stoned. Acts 16:11-15 (The Conversion of Lydia) – No Supernatural Phenomena mentioned. Acts 16:25-40 (The Philippian Jailer) – Supernatural phenomena, but it was the integrity of Paul and Silas that impacted the Jailer Acts 17:1-9 (Paul & Silas in Thessolonica) – No supernatural phenomena Acts 17:10-15 (P&S In Berea) – No Supernatural phenomena Acts 17:16-234 (Paul in Athens) – No supernatural Phenomena Acts 18:3-16 (Paul in Corinth) – No supernatural Phenomena If we observe this and add it up, we have 13 instances where signs were either absent, or actually hindered the sharing of the Gospel. This compared to 8 where signs were either a part of the evangelism, or exclusively used (3 "Pure", and 5 "Blended"). To break that down into percentages 61% of evangelism stories recorded in the book of Acts involve no recorded miraculous activity, compared to 39% including. I find it difficult to accept that if the Bible was teaching us that supernatural activity was the modus operandi, that less than half of the evangelism accounts it records would include them. Furthermore, 23% of all evangelism accounts indicate that preaching was an aspect of the conversion. That means that 85% of all evangelism accounts in the book of Acts involved Preaching. It is only reasonable to conclude that Preaching is the modus operandi presented in the Bible. Finally, I would like to leave you with a quote from Jesus himself regarding signs. "When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. " We must ask ourselves, what is the sign of Jonah? Jonah did no signs in Ninevah. The people of Ninevah were not converted because Jonah healed a young man, caused the sun not to shine, or spoke in a language he did not know. Rather, Jonah preached a simple message of the sinfulness of the Ninevites, warned them of the judgement to come, and urged the to repent. THIS is the modus operandi that Christ puts forward, and it is the modus operadi of the Early Church, and so also it should be our modus operandi. Thank you and God bless.