Taking up Snakes

[Smalcald]

From Mark:

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,

[Sherman]

Smalcald,

So what's your point/question?

[larryt]

As to drinking poison, again it is not to tempt God. There have been many missionaries that have reported to have been poisoned by indigenous tribes and have had no effect testifying to the goodness and mercy of God. My own brother was in Bahrein with a company he worked for and went out often to lunch with his colleagues. He prayed over his meal all the time and not just silently. His coworkers came down with food poisoning often but he never did and ate the same food.

LT

[Guest lnj]

My understanding is theses GIFTS are used in certain circumstances up to God's discretion.

If it's in the Bible it is true, just because a majority may not exhibit these particular Gifts doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In many 3rd world countries, many,many people can attest to missionaries exhibiting these Gifts.

If God/Jesus said it, that settles it.

[Smalcald]

Thanks for those answers.

This passage has always bothered me; my congregation does not take up snakes or drink poison. However the wording when it says "these signs will accompany those who believe", could lead one to believe that these signs will be the mark of all believers. I know this is what the Holiness Churches which handle snakes believe.

But thanks for the missionary accounts from today it put things in perspective for me. But why are intentionally speaking in tongues okay, and snakes not? I guess the difference would be the interpretation of tongues having value to the congregation?

[Floatingaxe]

The intent of those mentions of snakes and poison were to assure us that nothing can harm us! There is no call for the intentional handling of snakes or drinking of poison. People who intentionally do that are misinterpreting the Word, not understanding the spiritual message there, and are playing with the sin of tempting God.

[Guest Biblicist]

We have a snake, she's a Royal [ball] Python. We hold her quiet frequently, though she is not poisonous, she could still bite.

[Smalcald]

The intent of those mentions of snakes and poison were to assure us that nothing can harm us! There is no call for the intentional handling of snakes or drinking of poison. People who intentionally do that are misinterpreting the Word, not understanding the spiritual message there, and are playing with the sin of tempting God.

How is that different from healing and speaking in tongues, both mentioned in the same passage in the same way?

Look at the passage, it says these things will follow those who believe, it does not say will follow only some who believe, or only some of these things will follow those who believe. It also says that the Lord will confirm the Word with these accompanying signs. He calls them signs, which would tell me that indeed they are miraculous signs.

[Guest Biblicist]

We have a snake, she's a Royal [ball] Python. We hold her quiet frequently, though she is not poisonous, she could still bite.

Just out of curiosity what makes you want to have a snake? I know it is not a sin to have snake, but the snake was cursed. The curse was supposed to make the snake repugnant to man. I have always wondered why some Christians like them.

We got her because our son loves nature, and Steve Irwin, who got him interested in Herpetology. She was a learning tool, and not as smelly as a Bearded Dragon. She is actually the cheapest pet we own, and the easiest to take care of.

Man was cursed too, if I remember correctly, I have one of those as well.

Snakes are only repugnant to women. . . But so are spiders. We feel it is important for our children to learn about all of nature. Lack of understanding creates fear.

[Guest Biblicist]

I just wondered. I am not scared of them, but I think they are ugly. One of my friends owns Cobra's. I have handled them(helping him out), but really do not like them. I think they are nasty. The king is so strong it is ridiculous.

Yikes! Cobra's are not my kind of snake. Does your friend own Cobra's to milk them for their venom? I can't imagine owning a poisonous snake as a pet. To dangerous.

Snakes are not ugly, but I can see why you would think that. I see them as just another part of God's creation. I am certain I would never own a spider though.

When I was growing up, my mother would go out to the wood pile, move the logs and get Garter Snakes for us to hold. She was never afraid of them, even when she was little, she would do the same thing. Now, she comes over here and asks to hold Fang, that's the snakes name. Sort of a play on words, since she doesn't have any.

This snake is the most docile creature I've ever come in contact with. No matter how long it's been since we held her, she still acts as if we hold her all the time. She is in no way tame though and if she thought we were going to hurt her or smelled like prey, she'd strike.

Is this getting off topic?