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Hebrews 2:4
by Don Costello Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 1. "God also bearing them witness," a. also bearing them witness (4901 * sunepimartureo; sun-together with or at the same time; epimartureo-to testify or bear witness to). To bear further witness with someone. b. In Acts 14:3 Luke writes that the Lord, "gave testimony unto the word of his grace," 1). Gave testimony (3140 * martureo) To be a witness, bear witness. 2). How did God give testimony? He, "granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." 3). The "word of his grace" is the same as "the word of this salvation" of Acts 13:26. 4). Act 20:32 "And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." 5. Part of our inheritance is "signs and wonders to be done" by our hands. But first, we need to allow the word of his grace to build us up. c. In Mark 16:20 the Lord was, "working with them and confirming the word" 1). Confirming (950 * bebaioo) See above. 2). The Lord confirmed his word, "with signs following." 2. "both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost" a. We must remember that he is still speaking of this "great salvation". The "signs and wonders", and "divers miracles" and "gifts of the Holy Ghost" are all included in this "great salvation". b. This is confirmed by looking at 1 Peter 1:10-12. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." 1). The whole book of Acts could be included in "the things which are now reported unto you", but in particular Acts 15:12. "Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them." 3. "according to his own will?" a. will [2308 * thelesis] [Zodhiates: In Hebrews 2:4 thelesis means that God conceived and purposed all the miracles and brought them about even in their distribution through the Holy Spirit.] b. His will is his word: Matthew 7:21-27. My name is Don Costello. Ever since I received Christ in November of 1976 I have had a passion to study and know God's word.My wife Melissa and I have 5 children. My e-mail address is [email protected] I have a blog located at: www.theophilus-loverofgodsword.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |