1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured Reality TV Snake Handling Preacher Dies of.... Snakebite

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by InTheLight, Feb 16, 2014.

  1. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2010
    Messages:
    24,988
    Likes Received:
    2,268
    Faith:
    Baptist
    (CNN)-- A Kentucky pastor who starred in a reality show about snake-handling in church has died -- of a snakebite.

    Jamie Coots died Saturday evening after refusing to be treated, Middleborough police said.

    On "Snake Salvation," the ardent Pentecostal believer said that he believed that a passage in the Bible suggests poisonous snakebites will not harm believers as long as they are anointed by God. The practice is illegal in most states, but still goes on, primarily in the rural South.


    http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/snake-salvation-pastor-bite/index.html
     
  2. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    He would have been wiser to stick to the "foolishness of preaching."

    1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
     
  3. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    Is not the scripture in Mark about "snake handling" thought by some scholars to be added to the 'original"?
     
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    But should the goverment make it illegal? Under the free practice of religion of the First Amendment?
     
  5. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2002
    Messages:
    8,136
    Likes Received:
    3
    Faith:
    Baptist
    well, you know how it goes.
    he who lives by the fang, dies by the fang. :rolleyes:
    they should use garter snakes, nobody'll fault them for that.
     
  6. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Messages:
    9,012
    Likes Received:
    28
    A friend of mine went to a seminary and told me this was the case.
     
  7. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Messages:
    9,012
    Likes Received:
    28
    I think it's a broader issue. I've never been to a snake handling...insert never will either...but aren't their kids there? That may be why it's illegal.
     
  8. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Messages:
    9,012
    Likes Received:
    28
    Or pull their fangs before handling them...:D
     
  9. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Messages:
    2,099
    Likes Received:
    96
    Faith:
    Baptist
    ...these folks are so desperate for recognition. It's sad.
     
  10. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I believe it is in the book, "Can Somebody Shout Amen", there is a chapter on snake handling. It is a mot interesting chapter dealing not so much with the theology but of the practice as observed by an outsider and her conversation with those who handle snakes.

    One of the pastors said something like this to her:

    If you don't feel a strong leading from the Holy Spirit, don't touch them [sic] snakes. It can be dangerous!

    I thought, true brother, true.
     
  11. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
    If you think you are feeling a strong leading from the HG to handle snakes go take your meds and get over it. :BangHead:
     
  12. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    19,500
    Likes Received:
    2,880
    Faith:
    Baptist
    ROFL! That's hilarious.. :laugh:

    Yes! By all means use garter snakes!
     
  13. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    19,500
    Likes Received:
    2,880
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Sunday, May 20, 2007

    Snake handling on the rise in Baptist churches

    According to a new report, snake handling is on the rise within Baptist churches across the country. The report, released by NAMB this past Tuesday, says that the practice of snake handling as part of Sunday morning worship services has risen in Baptist churches from 2% in 2006 to 17% this spring.

    Al Wittner, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of xxxxxxxxxxxxxx reported the exciting results of snake handling. According to Wittner, "A few weeks ago, we began with just a few black snakes. The folks in the pews felt a little uneasy at first, but they warmed up to it very quickly. By this past Sunday, we added Rattlers and Copperheads. I think the added dimension of poison really increased interest. We had at least 40% of our members in attendance, which was the highest percentage in years."

    NAMB's report also indicates that some churches are planning on adding snake handling as a third ordinance. Along with baptism and the Lord's Supper, snake handling will be a regular part of church gatherings. Pastor Wittner said, "We haven't yet decided whether or not to make snake handling an ordinance. But, if it keeps bringing the lost in through the front doors of the church, we might just have to do so."

    When asked what has brought about the recent increase in snake handling, NAMB indicated that it can be traced to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary's recent conference on the last 12 verses of the book of Mark. At the end of the conference, the majority of the scholars said that they believe the last 12 verses are original. This has caused many pastors and laypeople to study those 12 verses.

    Mark 16:17 -18 has caused the stir. In this text, Jesus says, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

    According to Pastor Wittner, "We had never really thought much about that last chapter of Mark . Then, after we heard about what happened at Southeastern, we decided that we needed to take another look. We certainly believe in Jesus, so we thought we had better pick up serpents. We haven't yet drunk any deadly poison, but this is scheduled for our fall revival. No volunteers have come forward, but I have faith that they will."
     
    #13 kyredneck, Feb 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2015
  14. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,377
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Yes but thats not the point......its to impose danger. So why not give the snake a break. They dont wanna be there either. Try juggling a coupla two ah tree power saws.
     
  15. padredurand

    padredurand Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2004
    Messages:
    4,541
    Likes Received:
    102
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Lesson learned: You can have the Annointing or you can have a TV contract with NatGeo but you can't have both.

    I have a special snake handlin' annointing. Using a pointed shovel, I beat them briskly about the head while yelling, "Die, snake. Die, snake."
     
  16. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That there is funny.

    Seriously, though, have you ever noticed that those who preach about having great faith for things of this world (healing, snakes, money trees, etc) don't have much faith that Christ will save them from the penalty of sin?

    It's those who are trying to work their way to heaven who believe God is directing them to handle snakes, give all their money to televangelists for a blessing, fall out on the floor by the hand of a fraud, or muster some unknown language.

    Many times, it amounts to nothing more than a hope in this life
     
  17. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,377
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Burst out laughing! laughing so hard that tears filled my eyes. OMG, OMG.....Smart as horseradish these fellas are. Said with real belly laugh and a strangled voice.....Id say, "stop, your killin me but no.....there killin themselves." LOL......gee that will attract a crowd. Whole body shaking with joyous laughter.
     
  18. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist


    Just curious. How do you interpret ............


     
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,377
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Dude.....they kill rats & mice.....that keeps down the flea & tic population.
     
  20. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2009
    Messages:
    5,135
    Likes Received:
    117
    And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:12 He should have dwelt more on this scripture.
     
Loading...