God Also Bearing Them Witness
GOD ALSO BEARING THEM WITNESS
Heb. 2:3, 4
Introduction: Already we have seen a great contrast presented between the things revealed through the prophets (Heb. 1:1) and the covenant confirmed by angels (Heb. 2:2; Gal. 3:19) with the things revealed through the Son and ordained by Him. This is called a “great salvation”, and the sobering question echoes through the ages, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”
This “great salvation” is affirmed by the writer to the Hebrews to have been preached with power from the Holy Spirit. Let us see what is involved in verses 3 and 4.
I. A Brief Word Study
A. “Signs”
1. Gr. — sameion — used “of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s.” (Thayer, p. 573).
2. This word describes the purpose for which these mighty works were done.
B. “Wonders”
1. Gr. — terata (plural of teras) — “something so strange as to cause it to be ‘watched’ or ‘observed;’ a prodigy, portent; miracle performed by anyone.” (Thayer, p. 620).
2. This word describes the effect the mighty work has on those who see it; describes reaction to it.
C. “Miracles”
1. Gr. — dunamesin – (plural of dunamis) - a. “univ. inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.
b. specifically, the power of performing miracles, a mighty work. (Thayer, p. 159).
2. This word emphasizes the power by which the sign or wonder is performed.
D. “Gifts of the Holy Ghost”
1. Gr. for “gifts” is merismos: “a division, partition.
(1) a distribution. Not the same as charismata, used in 1 Cor. 12. However, see the parallel thought in the statement of 1 Cor. 12:4, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit,” with “according to his own will” in Heb 2:4.
2. This expression emphasizes the source from which the power to do these works came.
II. The Ministry of Jesus
A. Acts 2:22
B. Jn. 3:2
C. Jn. 5:36
D. Mt. 11:1—6
! III. The Ministry of the Apostles
A. Acts 2:43; 3:6,7; 5:12
B. 1 Thess. 1:5
C. 1 Pet. 1:12
IV. The Ministry of Those Who Had Apostles’ Hands Laid on Them
A. Stephen (Acts 6:6-8)
B. Philip (Acts 8:6)
C. Among Galatians (Gal. 3:2-5)
V. Purpose of Miracles
A. Mk. 16:17-20 - “confirm the word” (promise)
B. Heb. 2:4 - “confirming the word” (fulfillment, realization of promise.)
Conclusion: What a powerful, forceful way of “calling to the remembrance” of his audience the way they had at first received the gospel message. He paints for them a word picture calculated to stir within them the memory of the power by which the gospel was preached, the wonder which it excited in them, and thus the confirmation that what they had taken hold of was genuine, and must not be let go of!