---
title: Hebrews 2:3
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/hebrews-2-3/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/hebrews-2-3.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Hebrews 2:3
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Hebrews 2:3

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?  This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

## JW Usage

Hebrews 2:3 is read by JWs as a general warning against neglect — one must not let salvation slip through inactivity. The verse rarely becomes a focal text, because its second half ("attested to us by those who heard him") names the apostles as the closing witnesses of the gospel chain — and that closure is awkward for a Watchtower framework that requires a continuing apostolic-style channel from Brooklyn or Warwick.

## Protestant Usage

Hebrews 2:3 names the chain that bounds the apostolic foundation: the gospel was "spoken through our Lord," then "confirmed for us by those who heard him." The chain is two links — the Lord and the apostolic eyewitnesses — and the verse uses past tense ("was attested") for the second link. There is no third. The same author builds on this in Hebrews 1:1-2 (prophets → Son) and 2 Peter 1:16-21 (apostolic eyewitness → written witness). Pair with Ephesians 2:20 ("foundation of the apostles and prophets"): the foundation was laid once. Doorstep form: "Hebrews 2:3 says the gospel was attested by 'those who heard him' — past tense. Where in the New Testament is a third stage of attestation by a successor body named?"

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Foundation Laid Once — Apostles Are Not a Perpetual Office](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/apostles-foundation-eph220.md) — Ephesians 2:20 — A foundation is poured once, and the building stands on it forever [Authority]
- [What Credential Did Russell Carry?](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/founder-miracle-credentials.md) — Apostolic attestation by signs and wonders — the missing piece of the Watchtower's authority claim [Authority]