Snakes in Worship Service Mark 16:18

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Elizabeth619

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
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they 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.

I am sure we have all heard about the "snake handler" churches. Congregations that do this.... are they taking this passage out of context or does this truly happen?

Thoughts?
 
This is a questionable passage, even that it was origionally in Scripture. Missing from the two oldest manuscripts..And this is another reason why. According to this This sign would follow ALL who come to Christ. I think we can easily come to the conclusion that is not true.
 
Elizabeth619 said:
they 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.

I am sure we have all heard about the "snake handler" churches. Congregations that do this.... are they taking this passage out of context or does this truly happen?

Thoughts?
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Acts 28
[SUP]3 [/SUP]And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.


Devil has been distorting the "God will rescue me scriptures for a long time...

Matthew 4
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
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God will rescue, but not if we go intentionally grabbin snakes or jumpin off cliffs.
 
eternally-gratefull said:
This is a questionable passage, even that it was origionally in Scripture. Missing from the two oldest manuscripts..And this is another reason why. According to this This sign would follow ALL who come to Christ. I think we can easily come to the conclusion that is not true.
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Yeah I do see the contradiction, yet some throw this passage out there to defend their belief in gifts, and signs. Does this passage fit in the bible or no? We can't have it both ways. If it fits then it contradicts other scriptures. If it doesn't fit then we shouldn't use it to defend ones personal belief.
 
1still_waters said:
God will rescue, but not if we go intentionally grabbin snakes or jumpin off cliffs.
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Agree, except would add, God may rescue. I am sure many a christian has been killed by snakes out hiking or something. God may not chose to heal.. or he may chose to heal.. it of course is all up to him.
 
Elizabeth619 said:
Yeah I do see the contradiction, yet some throw this passage out there to defend their belief in gifts, and signs. Does this passage fit in the bible or no? We can't have it both ways. If it fits then it contradicts other scriptures. If it doesn't fit then we shouldn't use it to defend ones personal belief.
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True. I think it only fits those who need it to support them.. To the rest of us it does not mean much.. Probably why it was added later (at least I believe)
 
I've always believed that it is a sign of protection for GOD's people, Paul was the proof of that. What Paul didn't do was look to get bit intentionally, it was by mistake that he got bit. In-fact the people around him knew that this particular snake was of deadly poison, so they was waiting for him to fall over dead.
People will abuse any scripture given the chance, that's why we have "snake handlers" and such. Have you seen these people "worship" in a documentary? (i cringe to even call it that cause to me it isn't) They look demon possessed.
Input please.
 
eternally-gratefull said:

True. I think it only fits those who need it to support them.. To the rest of us it does not mean much.. Probably why it was added later (at least I believe)
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Ive seen some explanations where it is referring to the apostles only. Which makes sense. "Those who believe" is said to refer to the apostles simply for the fact we not everyone had these powers. Paul says not all will have the same gifts, and even gives reference to desire greater gifts.

We could also say that those who did believe did have some type of gift(not just apostles) to help build the church, and certain miraculous occurances would be validation of the Lord.
 
jinx said:
I've always believed that it is a sign of protection for GOD's people, Paul was the proof of that. What Paul didn't do was look to get bit intentionally, it was by mistake that he got bit. In-fact the people around him knew that this particular snake was of deadly poison, so they was waiting for him to fall over dead.
People will abuse any scripture given the chance, that's why we have "snake handlers" and such. Have you seen these people "worship" in a documentary? (i cringe to even call it that cause to me it isn't) They look demon possessed.
Input please.
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I guess when it comes to gifts we will always see the misuse of them from now til the end unfortunately.

I know a man who worked for the Tennessee Highway Patrol(now retired), his partner invited him to church one day(while they were still on duty). Well, he went. Everything was fine then a man brought out a bag of snakes. David(the trooper) freaked out. As he was darting for the door a man come up to him and politely asked him to have a seat, and don't rush off. David being in uniformed, and of course armed threatened to shoot him if he didnt get away from the door.

He said he stayed outside sitting on TOP of the patrol car(his partner had the keys, and it was locked) out of fear a snake would get loose and crawl to the car and get him. I laughed at this story til I cried.
 
Elizabeth619 said:
they 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.

I am sure we have all heard about the "snake handler" churches. Congregations that do this.... are they taking this passage out of context or does this truly happen?



Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I think we can could get confused with the serpent analogy...mention a snake and its often ARGH!!! Satan!! Run AWAY!! but as Christians we think it is more than it is...Just my thought. I have found some scripture reference to the immunity of snake bite, Acts 28: 1-5 & power over them in conflict : Luke 10:19, Ps. 91:13. I think, as has been said, handling snakes is no more proof of faith or that someone is a Christian. Many people in India have such abilities but are not Christian. As many more learned than me have said, we need to use the power from God that we have in Jesus Christ and as HE used it. If we could handle all the snakes in the world but could heal the sick....reach out with the gospel to the lost....what good would this do? God Bless <><
 
Elizabeth619 said:
Ive seen some explanations where it is referring to the apostles only. Which makes sense. "Those who believe" is said to refer to the apostles simply for the fact we not everyone had these powers. Paul says not all will have the same gifts, and even gives reference to desire greater gifts.

We could also say that those who did believe did have some type of gift(not just apostles) to help build the church, and certain miraculous occurances would be validation of the Lord.
Click to expand...

I would not look at it that way, For one it is not a gift. For two. He said whoever does this will be saved, and this is how you know them..

So I do not see how we can give this to apostles only
 
Here is another question. We all know the apostles had the ability to heal the sick. Even those(like myself) who believe certain gifts have ceased we are all in agreement such things happened during the time of the early church.

There is one instance where they were not able to cast out a demon of a young boy due to their lack of faith, and scripture explains to us that was the reason why, and that is the only reason why they were not able to cast out the demon.

Does this mean they would ALWAYS heal the sick? I mean, the spirit was with them. Was there ever a reason why they would not heal someone?
 
Elizabeth619 said:
they 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.

I am sure we have all heard about the "snake handler" churches. Congregations that do this.... are they taking this passage out of context or does this truly happen?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Perhaps it has to do with context. I'll leave it up to you regarding the U.S. mountain folks with the missing fingers. But regarding drinking poison, here's the testimony of an African Muslim that came to Christ:

[video=youtube;GUtsZm3_754]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUtsZm3_754[/video]
 
eternally-gratefull said:
I would not look at it that way, For one it is not a gift. For two. He said whoever does this will be saved, and this is how you know them..

So I do not see how we can give this to apostles only
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yet casting out demons, healing the sick, and tongues are mentioned to... but they are called a sign. sign of what?
 
Elizabeth619 said:
Here is another question. We all know the apostles had the ability to heal the sick. Even those(like myself) who believe certain gifts have ceased we are all in agreement such things happened during the time of the early church.

There is one instance where they were not able to cast out a demon of a young boy due to their lack of faith, and scripture explains to us that was the reason why, and that is the only reason why they were not able to cast out the demon.

Does this mean they would ALWAYS heal the sick? I mean, the spirit was with them. Was there ever a reason why they would not heal someone?
Click to expand...
1 Tim 4:20
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

1 Tim 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

That was all said by one of God's men of great faith and power.
 
Elizabeth619 said:
they 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.

I am sure we have all heard about the "snake handler" churches. Congregations that do this.... are they taking this passage out of context or does this truly happen?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...



These kind of people are fanatics, and instead of handling poisionous snakes to show their faith, why dont they show their faith by their deeds, such as repentance and faith proven by deeds, walking the crucified life with Christ, not relying on signs and wonders, but on a rock solid saving faith built on the rock of Christ!
They will not endure sound doctrine!
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I am seeing this powerful warning from the Lord through His beloved servant Timothy, coming into fruition today! The time has come and has been here for quite a while I am afraid, where the professing Christian world will NOT endure sound doctrine, nor even seek it with all their heart and soul as commanded. They will seek out their worldly pleasures, pastimes, and worst of all their favorite bible pundit that tell them what they want to hear, and NOT what can transform their souls into true saints for God!
They form groups, who love to cast dispersions on the few who love them enough to give them the truth, the bitter truth, which is very difficult for them to swallow yet alone digest in their minds that has been polluted by the ways of the world, and filling their itching ears with many lies and errors telling them that they are soundly saved, while they still wallow in sin, worldliness and disobedience!
They have totally turned from the truth, and hate any that is given to them, but will turn on to all the fables and lies being sold today, they are goats being led to the slaughter, as they think they are at peace with God, when in reality they are dead to Him and His word!
They refuse to come out and be separate, but instead encourage others who are searching to join them in their games, refuse to give them truth, because they cannot give them what they do not possess!
But the few who bring them the harsh truth are despised, and this is a tale tale sign what mindset they are in as they snarl, and cast dispersions on the bearers of truth, calling them names, while they themselves are still carnal sold under sin!
So this shows me how much they love their worldly ways and pet sins, where any truth that can transform their souls is cast out the door along with any discernment, conviction or humility to receive the implanted word that can save them from their demise!
I praise God for the few who can see through this strong delusion God promised to send to those who do not love the truth, and are coming out of the spirit of error into the spirit of truth, accepting the harsh reality that the few of the few will be saved as predicted by Jesus Himself!
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Tommy
 
1still_waters said:
1 Tim 4:20
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

1 Tim 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

That was all said by one of God's men of great faith and power.
Click to expand...
Why was Trophimus not healed?
 
Verses 9-20 of Mark 16 do not appear in the oldest and most reliable texts, including Sinaiticus and Vaticancus, as well as numerous early Latin, Syriac, Armenian and Georgian manuscripts. Early church fathers, such as Origen and Clement of Alexandria did not appear to know these verses. Eusebius and Jerome state that this section is missing in most manuscripts available at their time.

As for the verses themselves, they contain various Greek words and expressions uncommon to Mark, and there are stylistic differences as well.

Therefore, it is safe to conclude that these verses were added in at some later time, and the original verses are missing. There should be verses there, but it is highly doubted that these are the verses.

The Bible is true, but you have to be careful not to read the words of men which have been added on, whether gnostic gospels or extra verses.
 
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