They shall take up serpants
"These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. Mark16:17-18
Both Matthew and Luke have versions of Christ's commission to the apostles (Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:36-49). However, only Mark includes the "signs that will follow those who believe." Are they commands for the followers of Christ or promises? In particular, does the Bible mean Christians should handle snakes, or does He promise to protect them if they are bitten?
Many believe Christ was speaking to those called upon by God to teach the Gospels, I, though, theologize, it was signs fulfilled by the Apostles, for in Acts 5:12, "...through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people."
In Acts 28:1-6, Paul was bitten by a deadly snake infront of many people. Paul, however did not go looking for the snake in order to test his faith, but was accidental, and as Jesus had promised, he was protected.
So are these Pentecostal Extremist, simply testing God, like Satan asking Jesus to leap from the edge? When asked if bitten and if so, why?... Many answer "God was showing the followers that the poison will not kill us". Others respond with, "It is simply a test of inducement."
Both Matthew and Luke have versions of Christ's commission to the apostles (Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:36-49). However, only Mark includes the "signs that will follow those who believe." Are they commands for the followers of Christ or promises? In particular, does the Bible mean Christians should handle snakes, or does He promise to protect them if they are bitten?
Many believe Christ was speaking to those called upon by God to teach the Gospels, I, though, theologize, it was signs fulfilled by the Apostles, for in Acts 5:12, "...through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people."
In Acts 28:1-6, Paul was bitten by a deadly snake infront of many people. Paul, however did not go looking for the snake in order to test his faith, but was accidental, and as Jesus had promised, he was protected.
So are these Pentecostal Extremist, simply testing God, like Satan asking Jesus to leap from the edge? When asked if bitten and if so, why?... Many answer "God was showing the followers that the poison will not kill us". Others respond with, "It is simply a test of inducement."