Snake Handling

[ray]

Snake Handling. What is Jeff Corwin, Steve Irwin, and Jack Hanna. hehehehe!

[MK202002]

On the other hand- if my world ever flips upside-down and someone is threatening to throw me into a big pit of poisonous snakes- I can be confident that Jesus said that the snakes would not hurt me.

Edited January 14, 2006 by MK202002

[MK202002]

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.

was it kind of some weird Roman death sentance thing? Like getting fed to the lions?

[larryt]

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.

Hi catsmeow,

Those are some good insights. One I have always considered was that Satan was referred to as a serpent. I have also thought of scorpions as the demons. I think the main point is to not fall into presumptuous sin by tempting God. Acts tells us that Paul just threw the serpent into the fire and nothing else happened. I have heard of missionaries that have been given poison and nothing happened to them and was actually a testimony to the greatness of the God they served.

LT

[larryt]

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.

Speaking of serpents.

Ge 3:1

[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.

Speaking of serpents.

Ge 3:1

[larryt]

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.

Speaking of serpents.

Ge 3:1

[larryt]

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. These verses in Mark should be there, but the interpretation that we can voluntarily pick up snakes is false. It has to do with such a case as what happened to Paul when accidently bitten by a snake. We are not to be snake handlers. It is a false practice.

Hi RevR,

Welcome to WB. And thanks for your input. I agree we should not tempt God.

LT

[ONE WHO WISHES TO LOVE GOD]

Hello Smalcald well I will be honest with you the only kind a snake I'd hold is a rubber one. and the only good snake is a dead one. Although I am sure God can protect us from their Vennum in less God says I have to hold one I will pass on the snake holding stuff.

Peace to you

[Arthur Durnan]

Hmm, if one can pick up real snakes today, be bitten but automatically healed of any venomous bite, why can't snake-handlers & faith healers ala one, Benjamin Hinn, hold a Miracle Campaign in the local AIDS Ward, much less than a cemetery? Any scheduled yet?

http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com