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The 16th Chapter of Mark contains some of the most controversial verses found in the Bible. Churches have split over them and schisms have formed over them. What do the 15th through the 20th verses really mean? Does God want us to take up snakes and drink poisons to prove our faith?
The Gospel of Mark was the first written: all the other Gospels quote extensively from Mark. The Book of Mark is the shortest of the Gospels but records the most miracles. It was probably written between the years 55 and 65 A.D. by John Mark. Mark was not one of the 12 disciples, but a friend and companion of Paul.
In the last five verses of Mark, Jesus is commissioning his disciples (and all believers) to go out and tell the Good News, that Christ died for our sins and through Him we are given eternal life. Verse 15 says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (KJV)
In verse 16, we start to encounter controversy. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Some doctrines teach that without water baptism, our salvation is not complete. However, while Jesus hung on the cross, He offered salvation to the thieves who were on crosses beside Him. Obviously, He could not water baptize the man who accepted salvation, yet Jesus said to this man, “… Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. “ (Luke 23:43b KJV)
Water baptism is a public confession of faith and a sacrament that Christians should try to fulfill. However, our faith in Christ’s redeeming work on the cross is what gives us salvation. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are baptized with a new spirit. The word baptize comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to dunk or immerse. To the Greeks of the time, it was used much as we use the word ‘wash’, like ‘go baptize your hands before dinner.’ When we accept salvation, it’s not the water that washes our spirit; it’s the work of Christ. Water baptism is symbolic of that washing.
Things really start to heat up with verse 17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” (KJV) Speaking in tongues is a divisive issue for many. Some say that gift was only for the first century Christians and not relevant today. Another opinion is that the verses 9-20 of Mark were forgeries added to the Scripture later and thus, irrelevant. Another controversy is that there are two types of spontaneous speech that are called ‘speaking in tongues’. The first is known as glossolalia, where the spoken language is considered a heavenly rather than earthly language. The second form is zenoglossia, or spontaneously speaking in a language foreign to the speaker.
There seems to be Biblical support for both types of spontaneous speech. Acts 2 records, “4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” (KJV) This would support an occurrence of zenoglossia.
Throughout 1 Corinthians Chapters 12, 13 and 14 Paul discusses the issue of speaking in tongues as if the tongues were not known languages. He says, ‘1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels' (1 Corinthians 13:1a KJV) This would lend support to glossolalia.
I am of the opinion that the Church, which is the Body of Christ, ought not be divided, but focused on what we hold in common. Each Christian should seek the counsel of their church and their Bible, aligning all things with the Scripture.
As to the issue of casting out demons, Jesus speaks all through the Gospels about demons and casts demons out of people. It’s a matter of individual interpretation as to what is meant by demons. Some hold that demons are not real entities but sicknesses and immorality. Others say that demons are servants of Satan as angels are servants of God. Again, Christians need to spend time in the Word of God, in thoughtful study and should not let these issues divide their churches.
Verse 18 of Mark, Chapter 16 is one that is highly controversial. It says, “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.” The issue of taking up snakes has been terribly divisive. Schisms have formed over it. The issue isn’t so much whether Christians can take up snakes and survive the effort, as it is whether Christians must take up snakes to prove their faith and fulfill their commission as servant to Christ.
I would find it safe to say that all Christians believe that in Christ nothing is impossible. So, certainly if all things are possible in Christ, we could take up snakes and drink poison and survive if it were necessary. But is that what the Bible is telling us to do? It’s not likely.
Deuteronomy 6:16 says, “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, “ (KJV). When Jesus is out in the desert being tempted by Satan, Jesus uses this scripture against Satan, “6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. “ (Matthew 4:6-7 KJV) Jesus didn’t have to prove his faith or commission by doing some deadly act even though that deadly act had scriptural support. Why would God find it necessary for us? It’s not likely that He would.
It is more likely that God is saying here that we have His complete protection. Even if our bodies die, our lives continue forever with Him. This scripture is more likely speaking to Jesus’ victory over death and by joining in the victory by claiming His sacrifice; we have victory over death, too.
There is significant anecdotal evidence of spiritual healing even in contemporary times. Jesus and the disciples healed many in their travels. After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the Apostles were gifted with healing. People carried their sick into the streets hoping that Peter’s shadow would fall on them and heal them. (Acts 4:13-14) If we are not successful in laying hands on the sick and healing them are we not Christians? No. We’re not the ones who do the healing: God is. As with all prayer, sometimes God’s answer is ‘no’.
The Book of Mark closes with the ascension of Christ into heaven. His work on earth is finished. The remaining work on earth is ours, to spread the Good News. As we rely on God to give us opportunities to witness our faith and the risen Christ, miraculous changes are seen in our transformed lives. “19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:19-20 KVJ)
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