This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:3-4)

The text is not mainly about miracles but salvation. The writer urges us to respect the message and pay attention to it. To emphasize its significance he lists three kinds of testimonies. First, this salvation was announced by Jesus. Second, those who heard him confirmed it, bearing witness to the words and works of the Lord, including his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Third, God himself endorsed the message by signs, wonders, and miracles.

From this arises the strange cessationist argument that because God authenticated the gospel with miracles, then since it has been authenticated, it follows that the miracles should cease. It is ridiculous even on its face, since it would be like saying that once the followers of Jesus have preached or testified about the Lord, it follows that they should stop preaching – more than that, it follows that they should stop speaking altogether for the rest of their lives. But the text does not eliminate the possibility that there are other reasons for speaking, or the possibility that the followers of Christ could continue speaking about the truth of the gospel, even today. Thus we can still talk on the phone and order dinner at restaurants.

Likewise, the fact that God testified about the gospel by miracles does not eliminate the possibility that there are other reasons to work miracles, or the possibility that he would continue to endorse the gospel by miracles. The argument maintains that God would perform miracles to confirm new revelations, so that if there are no new revelations, there should be no new miracles. But the text does not teach this, and there is nothing in the Bible to suggest that God could not or would not perform miracles to continue confirming and advancing a revelation that he has delivered long ago.

The cessationist argument is based on an assumption conjured up by evil men to limit the Holy One of God, because of their doubts and traditions. It demonstrates their inferior intelligence and depraved character. We ought to adjust our estimation of their worth as theologians, believers, and human beings, that they would so distort the Bible to advance their false doctrine and to disguise their unbelief. As for you, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).