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Mark chapter 16

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Salty, Jan 28, 2010.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Mark 16:17-18 gives us 3 signs for those who believe

    1 cast out devils
    2. speak in tounges
    3. take up serpents

    so why dont we do these things if we believe

    Salty
     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Context is King!
     
  3. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Isn't that a disputed passage not found in all manuscripts?

    I also think that since there are no other passages supporting this, it means that we need to be careful of how we use/interpret this passage.

    Another view: These were sign (miraculous) gifts that were for the apostles and believers in the early church to authenticate their belief.
     
  4. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    I speak two languages and I killed a snake once, does that count? :)
     
  5. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    1. you think no one now days casts out demons?

    2. My ESV translates this one as "new tongues" to which I believe refers to Acts where everyone was able to understand the sermon even if they didn't speak the language. (I think that was in Acts)

    3) I have a snake. I handle it. I've never been bitten or struck at. I'm guessing if it were needed to spread the gospel God would allow me to handle one that was poisonous. But I also think that "handling serpents" very possibly refers us back to the garden where man was unable to resist the temptation presented by the serpent.

    My 2 cents!
     
  6. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    I was bitten by a Water Moccasin on my toe when I was around 14-15. He only got me with one fang and I didn't go to the doctor for nearly a week. My toes started turning black and my father took me to the doctor, the doctor said if I had waited a few more days he would probably have to amputate my foot. But I survived a poisonous snake bite. :thumbs:
     
  7. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Just three signs?:confused:

    I read five (or four if poison/venom are classed together).
     
  8. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    Okay Jerome.

    4) I have consumed both paint thinner and gasoline (actually remember doing both) and survived though the docs said I had most "certainly permanently damaged my lungs beyond repair" and sent me home expecting me to die. That was 42-43 years ago and I'm still living.

    5) I have never that I know of laid hands on someone and healed them.

    But really 4 outta 5 ain't bad! I don't think the context says you have to do all 5.
     
  9. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    This sign appears to have had significance, at least during the Apostolic Age.
    Acts 28:3-5.

    Also, if the snake handlers of Appalachia were not protected by the Holy Spirit we would hear of a lot more deaths from this practice.
     
  10. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I think we should have the passage here to look at:

    17"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
    18they 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
    .


    1. I am not sure if casting out demons today is actually done. I have often wondered about this. Or it could be mean there is a special gift for doing it, which was only existing at the time of the early church.

    2. I agree with you

    3. I think handling serpents may have to do with a miraculous ability not to be harmed if bitten. This happened to Paul after the shipwreck.

    I think the above are all referring to miraculous abilities that we may not have today.
     
    #10 Marcia, Jan 28, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 28, 2010
  11. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Your kidding right?
    We find even in the early church fathers talking about this and not just in the 1st century church. Now, I am NOT talking about what you might see some doing on TV or some the ridiculous spiritual warefar garbage being pandered by many. But I have personally dealt with them and know it is not only true today but has been dealt with by many pastors. I would tell you, thank God that you have not had to deal with such.



    The thing about the passage being asked about, is that it does not state that all believes will be doing these things nor that all will be doing 1 or more. But that these things will follow (be seen along side) those who believe. Has God kept some of His people from being poisoned by miraculously healing them.

    Has God kept some men from being killed by a posionous snake bite (Paul being at least one in scripture for a reference)?

    How about being able to speak anothe language? Yes, I know 1 personal story of a deacon and Korean man who understood each other in their own langage but neither spoke the other persons language.

    Thus it is not refering to all believers do all those things, nor is it refering to speaking of them doing even one.. only that these signs will follow God's children.
     
  12. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    After verse 8 you are not dealing with original manuscript material, added later on so I wouldn't base a whole lot of doctrine or practice on it.
     
  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Bump to continue discussion
     
  14. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Not unless you picked up the snake!
     
  15. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    I think those signs were for the Apostolic Age. We see similar signs in the Old Testament when there was a new revelation given! MacArthur addresses this in his book Charismatic Chaos, page 112 ff!
     
    #15 OldRegular, Nov 22, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 22, 2014
  16. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Whose chain you pulling Salty?
     
  17. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    Yours...you've already post three times...:tongue3: :laugh: J/K :saint:
     
  18. Marooncat79

    Marooncat79 Well-Known Member
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    Here are some issues to contend with concerning the passage at hand:

    1. It is believed that the original ending of Mark was either lost or damaged and lost or both-thus the ending at v. 8

    2. The sentence structure in the original Greek is different in the longer ending (v. 9-20) as compared to the rest of Mark

    3. The shape of the letters is different thus indicating that these verses were a later addition (V. 9 -20 the formation of the letters constituting these passages is associated with 2nd century Christianity NOT 1st century).

    4. These verses do teach some doctrinal truth IE, v.15- is repeated in Matthew 28:18-20; Paul was bitten by a serpent in Acts, Again in Acts, the Apostles did indeed cast out demons, "new tongues" speaks of Pentecost and the various languages which were spoken for the purpose of the travelers taking the Gospel back to their prospective areas in the world (and even now), laying their hands on the sick-see Acts again.

    5. Some of the greatest Greek Scholars doubt the ending IE Bruce Metzger who was the greatest Greek NT scholar of the 20th century among others.


    IMO, and the opinion of others, the longer ending was added sometime before 160 AD and is a "recap" of the impact of the Gospel in early 1st century Christianity. There are many early Patristics who do not quote from the longer ending and it is not until 160 AD that someone actually quotes from the longer ending.

    Fire away!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #18 Marooncat79, Nov 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 23, 2014
  19. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    Many Pastors familiar with the textual problems won't even preach from it.
     
  20. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    I suspect many "pastors" won't even preach from the Bible!
     
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