Hebrews 2:1-4 (HCSB)
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to His will.
The writer of Hebrews understood that the gospel, including the true identity of Jesus, God the Son, was not simply a matter of theology or philosophy, divorced from the “real world”. Instead, it is revealed truth, foretold in the inspired, inerrant words of the Scriptures (in this case, the Old Testament), and fulfilled and testified to by the closest followers of Jesus.
Philosophy can be argued. Theology can be debated. But revealed truth must be believed and acted on. If it is not, there are penalties that quickly accrue. And the more important the truth, and the greater the one who reveals and communicates that truth, the more serious the consequences for rejecting it.
Some of the target audience of the writer of Hebrews had simply drifted away from the true gospel, having been pulled back to their old Jewish beliefs and practices by the force of habit, simply wandering back into the old channels due to a lack of attention. But others had been led to actively reject the gospel as it had been delivered to the saints.
It was not because the evidence for the gospel was lacking. Jesus’ life and ministry were crammed full of verified signs, wonders and miracles. And those same kinds of miracles were even performed by those who brought the gospel to them, as well as their demonstration of powerful spiritual gifts. But soon, as the people’s hold on the truth of the gospel weakened, the spiritual gifts stopped functioning, and the miracles waned until all that remained were the stories. And in that atmosphere of powerlessness, it became even easier for people to stop believing, and to return to their old ways.
Father, many people today teach that the signs, wonders, and miracles were only intended for the early Church. But I can’t find that in Your word anywhere. All those things were tools that You gave to Your people to validate what they were preaching, a demonstration of the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done. I agree that the lack of these things is likely a sign of our lack of vital relationship with You, our lack of faith in what You have promised to do in and through us, our lack of intent to get and stay on the front lines of sharing the gospel, pushing back the darkness with the light You have put in our hearts. If we don’t intend to share the gospel boldly and powerfully, You have no reason to empower us. Help us, Lord, to recapture our passion for You and for Your life-saving message of salvation, so that we can be empowered to do the works Jesus did, and even greater things (John 14:12-14), according to Your promise. Amen.