Christ First Forum

In Mark 16:17,18 Jesus tells his disciples of signs that will accompany those who believe. One of them is that they will pick up snakes and not be harmed. Some churches make a practice of having people handle poisonous snakes at their services as a sign of their faith in Jesus. But is this practice a correct interpretation of Jesus' promise?

I'm not qualified to get into a deep, theological discussion on this topic. However, my Bible has a footnote that many ancient authorities bring the book to a close at the end of verse 8. One authority concludes the book by adding after verse 8 the following "but they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation". Other authorities include the preceding passage and continue with verses 9-20. In most authorities verses 9-20 follow immediately after verse 8; a few authorities insert additional material after verse l4.

I think that it was when Paul was ship-wrecked on the Island of Malta, he was bitten by a poisionous snake which didn't effect him. I KNOW this - there is an abundance of scripture which declares that we are saved by grace thru faith, that if we truly repent of our sins, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that God raised Him from the dead, and trust Him as our Lord and personal Saviour, we ARE saved. THAT is the bedrock on which I base my salvation. It is NOT of works. Some have more faith than others - yet all are saved who truly believe in HIm. John 3:3, 5, 7 & 16.

Frank, please correct me if I have stated anything in error. Thanks.

Troy, Your assessment is totally correct!

There were and are times when God intervenes miraculously to protect us all from disease and sickness and this was one of those times. This does not mean that we are to go around testing God and putting ourselves in dangerous situations and handling poisonous snakes are dangerous.

During this time Paul and and the disciples of the Lord had a special covering and anointing as apostles and were kept safe for the purpose of spreading the gospel.

Remnant wrote:Troy, Your assessment is totally correct!

There were and are times when God intervenes miraculously to protect us all from disease and sickness and this was one of those times. This does not mean that we are to go around testing God and putting ourselves in dangerous situations and handling poisonous snakes are dangerous.

During this time Paul and and the disciples of the Lord had a special covering and anointing as apostles and were kept safe for the purpose of spreading the gospel.

Thank you, Frank, not for agreeing with my assessment, but for what you brought out in your response, which I overlooked, and consider absolutely HUGE! "During this time Paul and the disciples of the Lord had a special covering and anointing as apostles and were kept safe for the purpose of spreading the gospel". Absolutely HUGE! I believe that, scripture states they were given a special anointing during that time, and many out there should look at that in their interpretation of many areas of scripture. It goes to things I can't get into here, but thank you Frank for pointing this out!