The first warning found in Hebrews: Don’t drift or dilute the gospel.

Throughout this letter the Pastor will pause from the main subjects to bring a warning to the people. This is the first time in the letter.

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. ² For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, ³ how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2 v 1-4)

Therefore is ‘there for’ what was spoken previously. Christ is better, greater, superior and supreme therefore don’t drift, don’t slowly move away from the position God has placed you.

The Pastor introduces us to what will be mentioned again later regarding the contrast between the Law and Moses and the new covenant/salvation and the Lord.

With reference to Deuteronomy 33:2 and Moses’ praise declaration that when God came with the Law on Mt. Sinai He did accompanied by ‘myriads of holy ones’ (angels) the Pastor reminds us of the importance of the Law and the consequences of disobeying it.

Therefore, the Pastor is saying if we drifted from the Law then that was serious but how much more if we drifted from the message of salvation which has come to rescue us from the position of being unable to keep the Law.

This message was brought by the Lord (Jesus).

It was given by the first apostles through their writing.

God validated this message through ‘signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit’ that these Spirit-filled believers have experienced.

Basically the Pastor is saying, ‘you know, you know, you know!’

You know the story of Jesus and salvation.

You know and have heard the story written by the original apostles.

You know God has confirmed this salvation message by the active power of the Holy Spirit.

(The trinity right here!)

This salvation is real and can be tested so don’t drift from it.

Don’t dilute this message.

Don’t substitute this gospel with some other gospel.

If you do, where can you go?

If you do, how can you escape?

The word ‘escape’ is there because the rejection of God’s Word is still and will remain real.

A gospel which is not offering an escape is no gospel at all.

The real gospel saves from death and punishment which still need escaping from.

There is no escape if you drift or dilute what was originally brought by the Lord, given by the apostles, confirmed by God through the power of the Holy Spirit and (I add) passed down through the ages (whithout editing) to us in 2024.