Yes—Paul's later letters no longer emphasize performing healing miracles; his focus shifted to preaching Christ crucified and relying on God's sufficient grace.
Les Feldick observes that the miracle emphasis seen in Paul's early ministry and in the book of Acts 'no longer' appears once Paul writes his epistles. Paul did not come announcing healing meetings or 'showing signs and wonders and miracles,' but instead preached Christ crucified. Even Paul's own thorn in the flesh was not removed; God's grace was sufficient.
1 Corinthians 1:22-23 — Paul explains that while Jews seek signs and Greeks seek wisdom, his chosen message is Christ crucified.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 — Paul tells how he asked the Lord three times to remove his thorn and was answered that grace was sufficient.
In 1 Corinthians 1:22–23, Paul writes, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness." This is Paul's own explanation of why he did not come with signs and wonders. In 2 Corinthians 12:8–9, Paul describes his personal thorn in the flesh: "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." These verses from Paul's epistles show him praying, preaching, and receiving grace—not claiming to perform healing miracles.
Les Feldick teaches that the signs and miracles seen in Paul's early ministry were tied to Israel's demand for a sign and were largely a feature of the book of Acts, before Paul's epistles had been written. He says that once Paul was inspired to write his letters, "you no longer see so much of this as you do here in his early ministry" (Clip 3). Les also makes the point that Paul did not come announcing "a great healing meeting" or "showing signs and wonders and miracles"; instead Paul pointed to the fact that his hearers were sinners and proclaimed Christ crucified (Clips 2, 7). For Les, the later epistles emphasize preaching the Word, common prayer, and God's sufficient grace over miraculous demonstrations (Clips 1, 5).
Les points out that in the early chapters of Acts, before any of Paul's letters had been written, signs and wonders accompanied his ministry. But when Paul was later inspired to write his epistles, Les says "you no longer see so much of this as you do here in his early ministry" (Clip 3). In other words, the later letters simply do not contain the miracle-working emphasis seen earlier.
Paul said plainly that Jews require a sign and Greeks seek after wisdom, but his own message was Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:22–23). Les emphasizes that Paul did not announce healing meetings, did not deal in Greek philosophy, and did not come "showing signs and wonders and miracles." Instead, he preached Christ crucified. Les also notes that signs and wonders were used repeatedly for Israel's benefit, but Paul did not conform to that demand (Clips 2, 4, 7).
Scripture records that Paul asked the Lord three times to take away his thorn in the flesh, and the Lord answered that His grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8–9). Les says God did not heal Paul, and that Paul carried his affliction all the days of his life, yet God's grace carried him through shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, cold, and nakedness (Clip 1). Les also describes how Paul could despair even of life, but his confidence was in God who raises the dead and delivers (Clip 6).
How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained
You take the gift that God has given you, and you be content with it. Look what He says, �The Manifestation of the Spirit is given.� It�s not asked for. The Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. Now then jump across to verse 11, and you�ll see the same thought repeated.
Paul's Thorn Not Removed
Les teaches that when Paul begged the Lord three times to remove his thorn, God did not heal him but said 'My grace is sufficient for thee,' so Paul carried the affliction all his days.
No Healing Meetings
Les says Paul did not come announcing a great healing meeting; instead he pointed to people as sinners and preached Christ.
Fewer Miracles in Epistles
Les points out that once Paul began writing his epistles, 'you no longer see so much of this'—the miracle emphasis—as in his early ministry in Acts.
Jews Required Signs
Les explains that throughout Israel's history, the supernatural and miraculous were used as proof, showing that signs were tied to Israel's expectation.
Preaching Over Signs
Les teaches that prophesying meant proclaiming the Word before the New Testament was complete, and that preaching the Word—not signs—is what people need.
Paul's Trials and God's Deliverance
Les describes Paul's severe trials and despair of life, yet Paul trusted in God who raises the dead and delivers—not in miraculous healing.
Preach Christ Crucified
Les emphasizes that Paul said he would not come showing signs and wonders or philosophize, but would preach Christ crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:22-23: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Paul explains why he did not come with signs or philosophy, but preached Christ crucified.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul records that the Lord did not remove his thorn but gave him sufficient grace instead.
Les Feldick says the miraculous emphasis of Paul's early ministry is no longer seen once he writes his epistles. In the later letters, Paul writes about preaching Christ crucified and God's sustaining grace rather than performing healing miracles (Clips 3, 7).
Scripture records that Paul asked the Lord three times to remove the thorn, and the Lord replied, 'My grace is sufficient for thee' (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Les says God did not heal Paul, and Paul carried that affliction all the days of his life (Clip 1).
In 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, Paul contrasts Jews seeking signs and Greeks seeking wisdom, then says he preaches Christ crucified. Les emphasizes that Paul did not announce healing meetings or come 'showing signs and wonders and miracles' (Clips 2, 7).
Watch the Teaching: How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained