There were 5,000 in attendance when Jesus fed them the loaves and fishes. Since the Joel Osteens of the world attract more, do you think they are the fulfillment of Jesus' words that we would do more? If that prophecy indeed only applies to sheer numbers? Remember, we have already looked at 2 things that occurred after Jesus rose that Jesus Himself never did. I think the answer is that it applies to new things happening, not just bean-counting numbers.
And we're not talking saving lost souls here (primarily) We're talking about what we, as saved believers, are able to do that goes beyond what scripture reports. And how to tell how far beyond scripture is too far.
I agree that tempting God by purposefully handling snakes and drinking poison is not going to end well. But do you not believe that God will protect His own from these dangers, when faced accidentally?
5000 attended as partakers of the Holy Spirit, as those who had tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. Nothing about soul added. Could of been none or a few?
120 where recognized prior to the 3000 new believers .
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names
together were about an hundred and twenty,)Acts 1:15
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about
three thousand souls.Acts 2:41
No I do not beleive God will protect His believers. He could aid them if they have snake venom antidote for that.
The parable where we find the use of poison was to represent false prophecy. It will not harm a believer who has a faith according as it is written not adding or subtracting from it.
It is why Jesus called those who made up the "law of the father" as commandments or oral traditions of men of men a brood of vipers. False prophets brining false prophecy.
The laying on of hands another metaphor representing the unseen work of the gospel.
Mark 16:18 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.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders'
poison is under their lips. Selah
Psalm 140:3