Hebrews 13:8 reads thusly: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.

What The Passage Teaches

As Jesus Christ is immutable, unchanging, unchangeable, so his followers ought to be anchored and not carried about -with diverse and foreign teachings. Jesus does not mold with times and seasons. He is there -- sure and steadfast. SO, be ye.

False Reasoning

Many false teachings have been advocated, propagated, and perpetuated upon a perversion of the passage. It has been argued by those who, believe that Holy Spirit baptism is for believers today that Hebrews 13:8 proves it. If Jesus is the same and does not change, and since he once baptized people with the Holy Spirit, then be continues to do so.

But by that reasoning, one can prove that Jesus never did baptize with the Holy Spirit.

1) Before Acts 2 there is no mention of anyone ever being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

2) Jesus is the same today as yesterday.

Conclusion: Since he is the same, and since there was a time when he did not baptize with the Holy Spirit, therefore, he never has baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Again, with the same logic, one could "prove" that Jesus Christ never came in the flesh. Note:

1) At one time ("Yesterday"), Jesus was not in the flesh. (Phil. 2:6; Heb. 2:14-48)

2) Jesus is the same today as yesterday.

Conclusion: Since he is the same, and since there was a time when he was not in the flesh, therefore, he never has been in the flesh.

These parallels point up the fallacious misuse of Hebrews 13:8 and will show the error of any argument based on a similar premise and principle.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 6, p. 2
December 9, 1971