Heb 2:This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
1. Was confirm
ed by those who heard and God testifi
ed to it by gifts.
The testifying part of it was when it was being confirmed (being preached) by those who heard it.
This statement applies even today. The gospel is being confirmed(preached) to us by those who heard Him through the scripture and we also see how God testified to it through the scripture.
What the text does not say is; the gospel will be confirmed by those who did not hear Him, and testified by God through the gifts....
As much as the gifts operated in the church, it was still to confirm this salvation to members of the church for their edification. If one member of the church had a gift, it was to edify others; what this means, the gifts enabled the gospel to be preached and the gospel is preached, the gifts cease.
The apostles and the 1st century church are one and the same, their job was to establish the church and the gifts were foundational- for it is said the temple of God is made of Christ as the chief corner stone, the foundation of apostles and now the church itself.
Others scriptures say were are all priests in this kingdom meaning that we only have one chief priest in Christ and everyone else being equal.
Jer 31:
33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
This is the new covenant which basically means church era. God doesn't appoint other people over others but all are equal. Hence, what the apostles wanted to achieve was unity in love- so love was the perfect that was to come.
Will respond to this later.