3 … After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Apart of Christendom claims this verse as support for the re-emergence of miraculous happenings today. However, a closer examination show this has particular application to the apostolic times.
The “last days,” spoken of in Hebrews 1:2, began with Jesus who taught, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44). He is both the messenger and the message. He is the Word who became flesh.
Christ came as the perfect lamb, who would provide once only, fully sufficient sacrifice for sins. The book of Hebrews is all about showing the supremacy of Christ over the old ways. However, we would know nothing about Christ except for the apostles who spread the news of His life and teaching. But would anyone believe the apostles, as wild as their message might sound of a savior who died and rose again?
God testified to the message by giving them validating affirmation in the form of “signs, wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit.” 2 Cor 12:12. Acts 2:22 (of Christ). Acts 2:42 (signs and wonders at the hands of apostles). Evidently the writer was not an eye-witness of Christ, otherwise he would claimed that rather than appeal to “those who heard.” Certainly, if Paul had been the author of Hebrews, he would not have leaned so heavily on the testimony of others. However, we do see Peter using these three affirmations of the Lord. So, the apostles were exhibiting the same miraculous happenings that validated Jesus’ ministry. This is consistent with the outpouring of miracles at other epochal changes in God’s plan (during the Exodus from Egypt and into the promised land, and the warnings about exile from the land during the prophetic ministry of Elijah and Elijah).
God was confirming the message that the apostles were continuing to spread. Does this mean God is still providing these miraculous signs today. He is certainly not incapable of doing so. But this passage shows only that God provided for the assurance that the apostolic message was genuine.
Lord, thank You for confirming the message to that second generation of Christians. Continue to grant us the miracle of faith to believe Your Word, for that faith authenticates the message in our hearts.
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