Do Christians believe this?

JLord · Aug 3, 2007

This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Mark16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

Scott1 · Aug 3, 2007

JLord said:
This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Yes.

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

I don't take this quote 100% literally.... although I'm sure that some people in history have been given these gifts, I've never seen anything like it personally.

I tend to view this and other passages like it in an anagogical sense.

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

Many Protestant believers I've met (Pentacostal mostly) believe that the only "true" sign of a Christian is speaking in tounges.... I don't hold to that belief and think that there is no way to see if someone if a believer.... that is something only God knows.

Peace in Christ,
S

dawny0826 · Aug 3, 2007

This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

I do.

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

I'm a non-denominational Christian but I have and probably will (again) attend a Pentecostal Church. I've witnessed healings and I do believe that when we were told that all things are possible in Christ, I believe that all things are possible in Christ, if Christ its within Christ's will that a person is healed. I do believe in miracles.

I do believe that the believer has authority, only it's not the believer's OWN authority...it's simply Christ working within and through the believer.

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?

I don't believe so at all. I believe we're each special and have gifts and talents that we can use to further the Kingdom of Christ.

I don't need to handle snakes or speak in tongues on a daily basis to know that Christ is my Savior but I DO believe that in faith, I could do these things, if it was the will of my Savior.

joeboonda · Aug 4, 2007

These things did accompany the Apostles as they told people Christ rose from the dead with signs, miracles and wonders following. Paul was bitten by a very poisonous snake while shipwrecked on his way to Rome and did not die. He did go to Rome as God promised. What this is saying is that whether a deadly snake bites us or we are poisoned or forced to drink it, or whatever else may come against us, a servant of God will not die until they have done what God has for them to do, whatever that may be. The tongues did happen with the Apostles and those they laid hands on as a sign toward the Jews and for God to give early believers his word before the Bible was complete. These things ended by the 2nd century as church history tells us. Again, Jesus told his disciples they would have power from the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel and they had power! They told people Christ rose from the dead, and so they would believe signs, miracles and wonders followed. Once we had the written accounts of these things these sign gifts passed, but not ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Today to witness, preach the Gospel, and do all the things and live the way a Christian is to live, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and we are all given a gift(s) to help us.

may · Aug 7, 2007

JLord said:
This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Mark16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

Does

not Mark 16:17, 18 show that ability to heal the sick would be a sign identifying believers?

Mark 16:17, 18, KJ: "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

These verses appear in certain Bible manuscripts and versions of the fifth and sixth centuries C.E. But they do not appear in the older Greek manuscripts, the Sinaiticus and Vatican MS. 1209 of the fourth century. Dr. B. F. Westcott, an authority on Bible manuscripts, said that "the verses . . . are no part of the original narrative but an appendage." (An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, London, 1881, p. 338) Bible translator Jerome, in the fifth century, said that "almost all the Greek codices [are] without this passage." (The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, London, 1871, J. W. Burgon, p. 53) The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says: "Its vocabulary and style differ so radically from the rest of the Gospel that it hardly seems possible Mark himself composed it [that is, verses 9-20]." (Vol. IX, p. 240) There is no record that early Christians either drank poison or handled serpents to prove they were believers.

Hope · Aug 15, 2007

JLord said:
This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Mark16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Yes.

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

I have seen some of these signs, yes. And I myself speak in tongues.

I don't think a lack of these signs though necessarily means someone doesn't believe. The passage says these signs will "accompany" those who believe, not that the signs are necessary to prove one believes. It's a subtle but important distinction. I also think that the fact the passage refers to "those who believe" (plural) as opposed to, say, "one who believes" (singular) is important. In other words, these signs will not necessarily be evident in the life of every single individual believer, but definitely evident in the corporate group of believers.

Reverend Rick · Aug 15, 2007

Speaking in tongues is the lowest gift you can receive from Christ. One should aspire to receive the gift of prophecy

Hope · Aug 15, 2007

Reverend Rick said:
Speaking in tongues is the lowest gift you can receive from Christ. One should aspire to receive the gift of prophecy

I'm not sure if that was meant as a backhanded insult. I hope not.

None of the gifts are given to believers so they can compare themselves to each other, as a litmus test to see who's "more spiritual."

sojourner · Aug 16, 2007

Of course I believe it. But it depends upon how one interprets "condemnation."

FatMan · Aug 16, 2007

Each year, a handful of Pentacostals die or are hospitalized in the NC mountains due to snake bites. Those that become ill have their faith questioned.

It is sort of funny what we allow people to do in the name of religion that would otherwise have them locked up for endangerment.

may · Aug 18, 2007

Reverend Rick said:
Speaking in tongues is the lowest gift you can receive from Christ. One should aspire to receive the gift of prophecy

speaking in tongues served a purpose at the time in those days , it was to get the message out in differnt languages. it was understandable to those who spoke the language , it was not just babble that noone understood it served a purpose at the time , but we dont need it now because it has spread out to other languages .All we need now is LOVE , FAITH , HOPE , But the greatest is the LOVE

love · Aug 18, 2007

FatMan said:
Each year, a handful of Pentacostals die or are hospitalized in the NC mountains due to snake bites. Those that become ill have their faith questioned.

It is sort of funny what we allow people to do in the name of religion that would otherwise have them locked up for endangerment.

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times]Satan, to manifest his power, carried Jesus to Jerusalem and set Him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and there tempted Him to give evidence that He was the Son of God, by casting Himself down from that dizzy height. Satan came with the words of inspiration: "For it is written, He shall give His angels charge over Thee, to keep Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone." Jesus answering said unto him, "It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Luke 4:10-12. Satan wished to cause Jesus to presume upon the mercy of His Father and risk His life before the fulfillment of His mission. He had hoped that the plan of salvation would fail; but the plan was laid too deep to be overthrown or marred by Satan. [/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times]Christ is the example for all Christians. When they are tempted, or their rights are disputed, they should bear it patiently. They should not feel that they have a right to call upon the Lord to display His power that they may obtain a victory over their enemies, unless God can be directly honored and glorified thereby. If Jesus had cast Himself from the pinnacle of the temple, it would not have glorified His Father, for none would have witnessed the act but Satan and the angels of God. And it would have been tempting the Lord to display His power to His bitterest foe. It would have been condescending to the one whom Jesus came to conquer. [/FONT]

michel · Aug 18, 2007

JLord said:
This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Mark16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

I am not "very good" with the Bible. I can "see" what is meant here, but I would not take it in any way as "literal". By "baptized" I would understand "recognizing God as who he is, and wanting to be accepted".......the rest is more difficult to "translate"..but I would read that anyone who accepts God will be free from danger, and will possess the ability to heal......(We all have that potential).

Reverend Chris · Aug 18, 2007

JLord said:
This question is mainly intended for Christians. Do you beleive in this passage of the bible?

Mark16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

If not, why not? If so, then have you seen these signs that the author is speaking of?

Is a lack of any of these signs an indication that a person is not one of "those who believe?"

Some church have decided that you should be baptized immediately after accepting Jesus. If for some reason you should die before getting baptized your soul would not be saved because of this scripture.

I am going out on a limb here and saying that I would not take this scripture literally. I have been saved but I never received any gifts. So some would say I was never saved at all. So your guess is as good as mine.

Reverend Rick · Aug 19, 2007

Hope said:
I'm not sure if that was meant as a backhanded insult. I hope not.

None of the gifts are given to believers so they can compare themselves to each other, as a litmus test to see who's "more spiritual."

1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Do Christians believe this?

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