Text: Hebrews 2:1-10
How is faith passed on? That is not the main point of this text, but the writer of Hebrews summarizes how faith came to him and to those he or she write to.
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. (Heb 2:3-4 NLT)
First this great salvation came by the Word of the Lord Jesus himself. We find this Word today in the sacraments – baptism and the Lords supper. We also find this consoling Word in the absolution offered by the fellow disciple of Jesus. These are direct experiences of the Lord’s proclamation. Second our great salvation was delivered to us by those who heard him speak. The writer of Hebrews is talking about the apostles. We have their accounts for us in the Gospels and in the Scriptures. We also find it in the prophets of the Old Testament – those who originally heard the Word of God. And God – the Father – confirms the Word – the testimony of Jesus and the apostels through the Work of the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders and gifts given whenever He chooses.
So, the transmission of Faith is an active thing. It requires being told. It requires someone to proclaim or present the claims of Jesus and the apostles. And it requires the confirmation of the Holy Spirit. Someone may hear the Word, but is the Holy Spirit does not deem it time, they are just words. But the opposite would also be the case. We might have a wonderful spiritual experiece, but if the Word is not present, it will not lead to correct faith. The Word calls and the Spirit testifies and confirms. The Son and the Spirit work together in the transmission of Faith. And we should not overlook either. What we who have accepted this great salvation can do is move others in the path of the Word and pray for the Spirit’s movement.
May the Lord grant you both the hearing of the Word and the confirmation by the Spirit.
