He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." - Mark 16:15-18 Well, I have not come across any christian who drink deadly poison and still alive. Have you guys ever come across true christians?
Uh, I'm not a Christian, but I dug around a little bit and found the rationale. Paul was bit by a viper, and God intervened and saved him. Paul was not attempting to handle the snake, and not tempting God, and hence God stepped in. To tempt God by handling snakes or drinking deadly poisons is asking for God to just not step in and give you a hand. Let's try a bit harder before we go bashing Christians man, seriously.
The first 2 sounds like any evangelacial (spelling?) congregation in US or Australia. Maybe Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was.....he could handle a snake, speak in tongues at times lol ...... but he couldn't handle the poison of a stingray
Stop laughing at Steve. He was a great man and doesnt deserve this. As far a drinking poison is concerned, if God created universe how easilly he can cure a man unless the man tempts Him to do so.
The point to understand from the verse is, Bible contains Gods words but not only Gods word. It includes some scripts and thoughts of humans which are no way related to christianity and cannot be accepted by modern science.
He is speaking of miricales, not the ability to drink poison (don't put the lord to the test), it doesn't say you aren't a Christian if you would die by drinking it.
I thought the fact the barb hit his heart - and his reaction to ripping it out causing massive damage to his arteries and heart was the cause of death, not the mild poison. Had he not removed the barb, there is a chance he'd still be around - but hey, if I am hit with a spike to the chest I would probbably rip it right out too as a reaction. Leave him alone... - besides no one wants to visit Australia anymore now that he's gone (around here).
Isn't it amazing, With all these christians around they should be drinking poison on a daily basis. And look at that, If they lay their hands on people they will be healed! Why aren't hospitals full of christians healing people? Arnie if what you say is true, Why do you have a link to health insurance in your sig when, as a christian, You are supposed to possess the ability to lay your hands on people and make them well? No money in miracles?
Because its a matter of faith. Without that you won't get anything. If you believe in insurance - great - it may work to a certain extent. If you believe long enough to have cancer, you'll get it (proven fact). That is the power of faith.
That wasn't what i asked. I asked why you promote health insurace if, as a christian, You are supposed to be able to heal sick people by laying on your hands. Personally i don't believe that you can heal people, but the bible says you can and if you are a christian you should believe the bible. So, Given that the bible says you can heal sick people why are you promoting health insurace and not going out and trying to heal people with your hands? The bible says right there that you are supposed to posess that ability.
The bible has a lot of stories and metaphors that teach lessons, not all of it is to be taken literally.'When they drink the deadly poison it will not hurt them at all', it's just a metaphor saying that should anything dangerous happen to you, God will watch over you and protect you. stOx, with the health insurance, it's just a precaution. If you're on a boat, would you take off your life jacket because you know how to swim? No, you'd wear it anyway, just in case. Your body can fight off illnesses with your immune system. But that doesn't mean that you should refuse doctor's help.
It doesn't say it's a metaphor. It says christians can handle snakes, drink poison and it will not effect them. it's very clear about that. Even if i do accept that insurance is a precaution isn't it strange that he makes money from selling "precautions" when according to the bible he can heal people for free simply by laying on his hands?
Read it carefully. Note that this uses the term "whoever" that means anyone. The gospel is for all. You obviously have access to the gospel, it is up to you to acknowledge your sin and receive the free gift of salvation. This does not say "whoever", it says "signs". Signs are not necessary, they are just further indication that you are heading in the right direction. Have I experienced all of those signs? No, only the healing by laying on of hands. Are there accounts of the other signs. Yes, but they can be denied if that's what you want to do no matter how well documented. So I wouldn't put much value on signs, they are just a bonus. Focus on the first part of the scripture you quoted. You are accountable for your sin but the solution is offered to you as a free gift.