Responding To The Hebrews 2:24 Cessationist Argument

One of the frequently cited texts supporting cessationism is Hebrews 2:3–4, where the author emphasizes the significance of the gospel message being confirmed by three stages. First, Jesus declared it with divine authority. Second, eyewitnesses testified to its truth through their experiences with Jesus. Finally, God affirmed it with signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

However, some debate whether this passage implies the cessation of such manifestations after the apostolic era. John MacArthur contends that these miracles were primarily for validating the message of Christ and the apostles. He interprets the past tense in "it was attested" to mean that these gifts were for the firstgeneration apostles alone. Similarly, Pastor Tom Pennington suggests that Hebrews 2 indicates that miraculous manifestations were foundational and no longer the norm in the present day. John MacArthur believes that this passage “confirms that the validation of the prophets was the chief purpose for biblical miracles.” He argues yet again that “we see Scripture attesting that signs, wonders, miracles, and miraculous gifts were God’s confirmation of the message of Christ and His apostles (‘those who heard’).” In like manner, Pastor Tom Pennington of Countryside Bible Church speaks of Hebrews 2 and says, "The writer of Hebrews, writing just before he says, the Lord spoke this gospel. It was confirmed to us by those who heard, meaning the Apostles, and the Apostles were allowed to work signs and miracles to confirm that message. And so even the writer of Hebrews, writing under the auspices of the Apostles, says, 'I'm not working miracles; that's not happening now. The writer of Hebrews is looking back and saying those things were foundational; that's not the norm anymore."

In response, we present seven counterarguments based on Dr. Sam Storm's book "Understanding Spiritual Gifts."

1) Conceding that validating prophets was a primary purpose of biblical miracles doesn't exclude other purposes documented in the New Testament. Therefore, miracles should be used to display God's compassion, God's glory, and should be used evangelistically.

2) The author of Hebrews doesn't limit the text to apostles; the term "apostle" doesn't even appear. "Those who heard" can encompass more than the Twelve. There is no reason to assume Hebrews is only speaking of Apostles.

3) The text doesn't specify what or whom God "bore witness" to through signs and wonders. The focus is probably "the great salvation." God is not bearing witness to the Apostles' authority as worthy messengers because the text says nothing about the Apostles.

4) The cessationist claims that God "bore witness" (past tense) meaning that the author of Hebrews no longer believed that God was "bearing witness" to miracles in his day. The word "bore witness" in Greek is in the present tense, suggesting ongoing confirmation. Therefore, it is likely that the miracles are still active.

5) The passage doesn't rule out God attesting to the gospel through supernatural displays of power today; it only suggests that He did so at one time.

6) Even if miraculous events ceased, spiritual gifts still benefit the body of Christ today.

7) The term "charisma" doesn't appear in the text; it might refer to the Spirit Himself or a broader use of "gifts."

8) Finally, Hebrews 2 starts by speaking of "the message declared by angels." The cessationist claims, "Now that the message has been delivered, we no longer need miraculous demonstrations." If the cessationist is going to be consistent, wouldn't this mean that there would also no longer be a need for angels?

In light of these points, the argument that Hebrews 2:3–4 supports cessationism appears unconvincing.

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Josh Lewis' Church Kings Fellowship Church
https://kingsfellowshipchurch.com/
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Michael Miller's Church Reclamation Church
https://reclamationdenver.com/
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