Snake Handling

[ted]

Ted,

Does this mean I have to return that big box of poisenous Worthy snakes you sold me from the Worthy merchandise mart?

No returns, refunds, credits, or considerations will be considered.

All sales are final.

Oh, and there's no lemon law, either.

t.

[Smalcald]

Smalcald,

Daniel was protected from the Lions in the den. That does not necessarily mean he looked forward with great zeal to being thrown in there. Nor did he, IMO, pull a Bugs Bunny and open the lions mouth and insert his head while examining the sharp teeth.

Peace,

Dave

Good point.

In some ways I find the passage powerful, not that we should go out and intentionally handle poison snakes or drink poison, but that God here is saying some will do that, that it will happen. That is why in general I am open to these kinds of miracles for the glory of God.

I find the language of Mark 16 interesting.

14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them,

[MK202002]

those previously mentioned scriptures are good ones. yeah, not getting bitten by a deady poisonous snake, or getting bitten by a snake and not getting sick would glorify God, because it's not naturally what would happen. But why on earth would I go do this willingly? In my heart I would say "Hey look at the power of God working though me to benifit me" A healing miracle that helps someone else is a double whammy- it glorifys God and shows someone else how great he is to them. Thats a bad explination, but get my drift?

[Smalcald]

those previously mentioned scriptures are good ones. yeah, not getting bitten by a deady poisonous snake, or getting bitten by a snake and not getting sick would glorify God, because it's not naturally what would happen. But why on earth would I go do this willingly? In my heart I would say "Hey look at the power of God working though me to benifit me" A healing miracle that helps someone else is a double whammy- it glorifys God and shows someone else how great he is to them. Thats a bad explination, but get my drift?

I do get your drift and I basically agree with you.

I guess I just have somewhat sympathy for those who do actually handle poisonous snakes, I am not sure we should castigate and deride them so much. From what I have seen they have a strong faith in Christ. I think they are wrong intentionally of doing it, but I can see why they think it is important. In my reading of their experiences they don't get bit very often, which is quite amazing, indeed given the volume of snakes they sometimes handle. I am not sure we should write them off right away.

Mark says that all of these signs will accompany and confirm faith for those who believe. The fascinating thing to me is that obviously people were doing this at that time, going out and not dying after drinking poison, did they drink it intentionally? I don't think so, but think about the vibrancy and power of that time, that these things happened or were going to happen enough that they are mentioned in Mark at the same breath he is mentioning the importance of Baptism.

[hebrews_beauty]

As others quoted, I think Pauls' encounter with a snake best fits the context of words Jesus allegedly spoke (I say allegedly because Mark is not likely the writer of those verses. Probably shouldn't be included in the N.T., but I guess it makes the Gospels seem more consistent, or complete. *shrug*)

Anyhow, to actually seek out handling snakes is just stupid. People doing this in churches have died. I have never heard of anything good coming out of this practice.

[ted]

I trust God and all, but I ain't playing with no Copperheads or Rattlesnakes down here.

I'll wait until my body and soul are perfected in Heaven.

They won't bite after that.

t.

[Smalcald]

But why is it even mentioned in Mark? Of all of the possible things, which might come up, why handling poisonous snakes, why is that in the bible as a sign of a believer?

Mark says not only that believers will do this, but that indeed believers did handle poisonous snakes and it confirmed that they were believers, it says that these signs will follow those who believe, not just some of the signs, but these signs.

[RGR]

Having lived in areas where this practice is not uncommon, I think Jerry Clower had the best response to the whole thing. He was in a church for a speaking engagement where the practice was held. He could not get out the only door in the church and looked around and said "Wonder where they want a new door." I would have already made the door.

Steve, that was Wendy Bagwell, not Jerry Clower, who experienced it firsthand. Jerry may have repeated the story but here's the deal-Wendy asked one of the girls where the back door was. She said she had looked around and there wasn't one to which Wendy replied-"reckon where do they want one?"

I have to agree with Bro. Bagwell, lol! This little old lady asked him, "Brother Wendy, you mean to tell me that if the Lord told you to take up the serpent, you wouldn't take him up?" He replied, "Yes, ma'am, I surely would. But He didn't and I ain't!"

[Catsmeow]

But why is it even mentioned in Mark? Of all of the possible things, which might come up, why handling poisonous snakes, why is that in the bible as a sign of a believer?

Mark says not only that believers will do this, but that indeed believers did handle poisonous snakes and it confirmed that they were believers, it says that these signs will follow those who believe, not just some of the signs, but these signs.

The serpents are not "snakes" per se, but a representation of sin...similar to the snakes that bit the Hebrews in the wilderness....They were required to look upon the Bronze Serpent, (Bronze representing "judgement" and the serpent, the object of God's judgement). In God's good time, He sent His only Begotten Son, who became "sin" for us and took our judgment for us on the cross. This was a sign for an adulterus generation, according to the Lord. The Son of Man would be raised up on a tree and all those who looked upon Him would be saved, (*much as the Hebrews in the wilderness; when they looked upon the bronze serpent, they were healed of the poisonous bite of the dessert serpents).

Serpents, (even the literal ones) represent rebellion against God, and reap the subsequent judgement of God for their rebellion. Hence, the literal serpent (snake) crawls on it's belly and eats the dust.

[apothanein kerdos]

We can try to over spiritualize what is meant in Mark...thing is, Mark 16:9-20 probably doesnt' belong in the New Testament. Different writing style, not found in earlier manuscripts (most have "And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation." after verse 8), and simply doesn't fit within any other scriptural confine.