For example, it was Jesus who said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved…these signs will accompany those who have believed in My name: they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover,” (Mark 16:16-18). We have no interest in picking up snakes or drinking poison…we don’t think that was Christ’s point. He was simply articulating that Believers have power over the demonic realm and overall the harmful elements that exist on this planet.
- He was talking to the Apostles. The Disciples were being commissioned by Jesus.
- Jesus appeared to the eleven AFTER His resurrection while they were reclining at the table
- Jesus needed to commission His Apostles in sharing the gospel. Allowing signs and wonders to follow them. For unbelief to turn to belief. Please note Kris, the Church is NOT born yet. There has been No Day of Pentecost!! The word actually means fiftieth. Pentecost came 50 days AFTER Jesus ascended into heaven.
- No need to apply this passage to the church or current day here Kris. We are not even in the story yet.
- Jesus was walking on earth and many of the Jews still were still in unbelief.
- Jesus knew once He ascended and the Holy Spirit descended, signs had to follow for a SHORT time to convince the unbelievers, the Jews.
- After the day of Pentecost, you should notice Kris, a new pattern. The signs/wonders were no more because the Gentiles were now part of the Olive Tree and would be the ones sharing the gospel.
- Who is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the MAIN characters?
- What is the subject or event being discussed?
- Where is all of this happening? Where was it said?
- When did or will something happen?
- Why is something said? Why at this time?
- How will it happen? How will it be done?
14. Afterward He (((JESUS))) appeared to the eleven themselves (((The Apostles))) (((This would answer the WHO: Jesus is speaking))) as they were reclining at the table (((This would answer the WHERE and WHEN: It took place after His resurrection and while the Apostles were dining))); and He (((JESUS))) reproached them (((eleven themselves)))for their (((eleven themselves))) unbelief and hardness of heart, because they (((eleven themselves))) had not believed those who had seen Him (((JESUS))) after He (((JESUS))) had risen.
15. And He (((JESUS))) said to them, (((the Apostles, as we just read. No church here)))Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (((This would answer the WHAT! The event being discussed is NOW the great commission. The Apostles and the Apostles ONLY are being commissioned)))
The reason this verse is so important is because Jesus was making it very clear who He was commissioning and why. You cannot twist the FACTS if you include it all in context.
16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (((This would answer the WHY)))
Side note, you do not need to be baptized to be saved!
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed
First, the word ALL is never mentioned or associated with Christ's words here. He never said, "These signs will accompany ALL those who have believed. Stop adding...;
Second, assumption has to be made that some, doesn't say who they are, but some may have had this power. However, ALL the Apostles had it.
Third, the canon of Scripture had not been written so signs and wonders followed so they would believe. Same reason we do not see or hear audibly from God today because we have the canon of Scripture.
Fourth, no need for signs and wonders today because of #3. We have the Canon of Scripture.
Fifth, this was ONLY for a time. This was not a continued directive carried down by Paul, Peter, Luke or Jude in any of the scriptures. Why?
Because these signs were necessary to carry out the Gospel at that time!
in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tonguesFirst, passages like this, is what you all continue to abuse and misuse. It does not mean what you twist it to mean.
Second, you cannot cast out the very thing that you allow in your houses of pagan worship.
Third, there are no speaking in tongues as you all do it.
Fourth, only JESUS and by HIS authority did these things happen when the Apostles did things (see my notes above about the word ALL).
Fifth, tongues are NOT the gibberish YOU all do. It is literally languages. Like, real languages: Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic etc., and everyone could understand them. That only happened once on the day of Pentecost! The gifts are too long to go into here in this blog but Paul would agree with me.
18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (((no need to really comment here because the only time a snake was mentioned was when Paul was sitting by the fire and I think poison is mentioned in Revelation)))
When Christians supernaturally overcome sickness, disease, or demons, it’s a sign that a superior Kingdom has been superimposed over an inferior world.
The exhortation, command, and commission to do miracles, heal the sick, and cast out demons is all throughout the New Testament. A supernatural lifestyle is articulated, demonstrated, and replicated by Jesus and the apostles, as well as everyday Believers from the book of Matthew to the book of Revelation. Not only that, but miracles, in one form or another, have been a part of nearly every revival in Church history.
Yet some Christians choose to live with less than Jesus paid for, and that is their prerogative.
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