You are dancing around the hot milk, cherry-picking verses as if that is going to invalidate what it says in Mark 16:17-18, which is as clear as it can be that Christ promises visible sings of the believers as part of the great commission.
But you have excluded that sign on that very principle - i.e. that it is an experience, a symptom, not outwardly visible to you as the observer or measure of God. I have not exlcudeed anything. I am asking you if you have the visible signs Christ promised will be evident in believers?
The anti-Christ, anti-God, atheist activists demand the same thing you demand Gods copyright notice, a bag of M&Ms. Or as you once demanded Gods caller ID.
So, now you are callinhg me anti-Christ because you can't prove ythat your testiromony is anything but a feleing and the fact that you can reconcile Mark 16:17-18 with being a believer?
Who died and left you to judge?
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. - Mark 15:29-32
you: And that proves what? Your testimony is just that. Your word.
you: I thought all of scripture is equally important because all of ti is the word of God. Who says what is vital and what isn't? I am asking you again, is St. Mark's quote of Jesus promising signs as evidence of the believers a lie or not?
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:1-13
you: So, now you are callinhg me anti-Christ because you can't prove ythat your testiromony is anything but a feleing and the fact that you can reconcile Mark 16:17-18 with being a believer? Who died and left you to judge?
You are not in good company, kosta50.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. John 20:24-29
But you are His and that is His choice to make, not mine.
Still, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
Maranatha, Jesus!!!
What's your problem with these verses? Christ is simply saying the first apostles would have extraordinary gifts in order to more forcefully preach the Gospel in those very early days of Christianity.
The verse you should be looking at, Kosta, is the verse right before these...
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall me damned." -- Mark 16:16
So since these words are clear and concise from Christ Himself, we ask ourselves "believe what?"
And that answer is easy if we read Christ's other words and the words of Scripture --
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God... Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." -- John 8:24;28-32;42-47;58 "I and my Father are one." -- John 10:30 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins...
If we believe in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior, God incarnate; if we believe He is of God and from God and is God; if we believe He died to pay for our sins and was resurrected into heaven to prove it all true; then we can be assured by Christ's own word that we are not damned, but instead are numbered among His sheep who will be glorified with Him in heaven.
You ask for evidence of these facts, and this is where the reformed perspective answers most clearly. This belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is evidence of our salvation; not a requirement for it. The only requirement for our salvation is Christ on the cross "by whose stripes we are healed."
If we give evidence of believing our own good works will redeem us; believing in "another Christ;" believing in a "co-redeemer" or a "dispensatrix of all grace;" then we show ourselves to be believing lies.
And as Christ told us, the evidence of those lies reveals our condemnation.
I haven't followed this conversation as I've been away; however, I find this a curious statement coming from the Orthodox (or a Catholic) whose whole Church is built around visible signs. The idea that statues weep and saints have done miraculous things shouldn't seem strange to you. I would think that you would be a big supporter of Mark 16:17-18.