That which is perfect does not fully come until the resurrection and return of Christ. Until then you're striving for perfection. Until then you're being perfected. Until then you see as in a mirror dimly and don't see perfectly. But the gifts of the Spirit are for right now. Prophecy, tongues and interpretation and all the rest are for today.
Mark 16:9-20 are spurious. They don't appear in earlier manuscripts. They were added on later.
Just because they don't appear in some early manuscripts doesn't mean they aren't genuine. Those manuscripts were often rejected for a good reason. If you have read the writings of Ignatius then you'll know that even in his time he argued with people who had versions of scriptures that had things
taken out of them.
In my opinion it's easy for people to take things out than add them in. To add something in you have to really be committing fraud. But it's more justifiable for people to just take things out they don't really like.
I stick to the textus receptus rather than just finding the earliest possible manuscript. Because these were the most trusted versions and that's why they were most copied and most relied on in the past.
So unless you can find the originals themselves; then that would be something.
I don't think you understand. The sort of activity we are talking about, healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, casting out demons, were done for signs as evidence of God's approval of the Christian congregations. That isn't any longer necessary. The people that Jesus and his apostles healed or cast demons out of are dead. There was no lasting effect there other than to establish the Christian congregation.
I understand well enough. I know people who have had miracles. I have had miracles. I don't believe God ever stops doing miracles.
There is no way you can convince me that demons have just stopped all their activity because they were just possessing people to help the Christian congregation get established. Satan isn't really interested in helping the church. I think he's the enemy of God.
As the end of the age comes closer then demonic activity will increase not decrease. People will be plagued with more and more demons. Because as the scripture says satan has come down to you having great wrath because he knows he has but a short time. And it also says that men's hearts will fail them for fear from looking on all the things coming on the earth. That is increased paranormal activity. We shouldn't fear them but they're coming.
We know according to Jude that some fallen angels are waiting in chains to be unleashed because of the judgment of God. Also we see the same thing in the book of Revelation. 3 angels unleashed from the Euphrates with armies of demons. And of course Appollyon and his army of demons.
Mystery Babylon herself is said to draw all kinds of evil spirits to her.
It may be real, but it would be better if it were fake because if it were real it would be demonic. But demons don't have to be so obviously inflicting individuals. That would be a waste of time. Demons currently operate in a far more subtle way.
Don't you see that they said the same thing about Jesus? "By the prince of devils you cast out devils" is what they said about him. So I think it's wrong to say such things. Jesus said it was proof the kingdom of God came near to them.
Some of these people casting out demons are legit and some aren't. It's not our place to judge; except by their fruits you'll know them; not by their casting out demons.
Because some people cast out demons who Jesus says he doesn't know (matthew 7:22) and some people really cast out demons that Jesus does know.
What does Jesus say about people who do such things in his name but don't walk with him?
Forbid him not ... (Mark 9:39)
Seems like they made that one up on the spot.
