Hebrews 2:1-4

• Design– Signs

• Reaction– Wonders

• Nature– Miracles

• Source– Gifts of…

cast out demonsspeak in new tonguestake up serpentsdrink anything deadlylay hands on the sickturn water into winemultiply loaves & fishesheal the sicksight to the blindraise the deadcleanse lepersrestore withered handunstop ears of deafloose tongues of mute

lame walk cast out unclean spiritsheal paralyzedshadow healed sickhandkerchiefs healedhandkerchiefs cast outthe word of wisdom the word of knowledge supernatural faith gifts of healings the working of miraclesprophecydiscerning of spiritsdiff. kinds of tonguesinterpretation of tongues

Mk. 16:17-20Mk. 16:17-20Book of ActsBook of ActsMt, Mk, Lk, JnMt, Mk, Lk, Jn1 Cor. 12:7-111 Cor. 12:7-11

• Used only according to the will of God – 2:4• The will of God: to confirm the message

– “So great a salvation…was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness…” – Heb. 2:3-4

– “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” – Mark 16:20

– The message of God was always the focus!– SWMG were the evidence that verified the

message being delivered was true, genuine, given by God, and therefore trustworthy!

• Used only according to the will of God – 2:4

• The will of God: to confirm the message• SWMG accompanied the message to:

– Confirm the divine origin – Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:20

– Create faith in the hearers – John 20:30-31– Equip the saints for the Lord’s work – Eph.

4:12

• The duration was limited by their purpose• The duration was limited by those endowed

– The apostles Received power through Holy Spirit baptism –

Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4 There is now only one baptism, water baptism

administered by man – Eph. 4:5; Matt. 28:19– Christians in the first century

Received only through the laying on of the apostles’ hands – Acts 8:12-24; 19:6; 2 Tim. 1:6; Rom. 1:11

Could not pass the power to others; it ceased

• The duration was limited by their purpose• The duration was limited by those endowed• The duration was limited by the will of God

– Ephesians 4:13-14 “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the

knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children…”

– 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 “…They will fail…they will cease…it will vanish away.

For we know in part… But when that which is perfect (complete) has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child…”

• God demonstrated His power through His will for His purpose on His time.

• The revelation of God is complete!– John 14:26; 16:13– 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• SWMG (“in part”) are no longer being done.• Their purpose continues to be fulfilled by the

completed revelation of God (the Bible):– Confirms its divine origin – 2 Tim. 3:16– Creates faith in the hearers – Jn. 20; Rom. 10:17– Equips saints for the Lord’s work – 2 Tim. 3:17

• Believe Jesus is God’s Son – John 20:31• Repent from your sins – Acts 2:38• Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9• Be immersed into Christ – Galatians 3:27

– Sins are forgiven – Acts 22:16– Added to His church – Acts 2:47– Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23

• Work faithfully for Him – 1 Corinthians 15:58