RE: Are those spiritual powers/gifts widely given and implemented by the general Christ-followers today, at the beck and call of every individual believer today?
Just wondering.... what do you make of what Jesus said to His disciples given that we do not see these powers/gifts prevalent today....
SEE HERE:
MARK 16:17-19
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
They will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
(END QUOTE)
Since we do not see these signs accompanying those who believe today ( at least I don’t see it in most churches I visit ), are we to conclude that those who do not manifest these signs do not believe ( since Jesus said these signs shall accompany those who believe)?
I’d like to read your take on this... Thanks.
Let me take a stab at it first. Mark 16: 9-20, were not in the two oldest manuscripts. I wouldn’t make any doctrinal statements, based on those verses. I wouldn’t drink poison, or hold poisonous snakes either.
I once knew a snake that was SO poor...
How poor was he??
He was so poor that he didn't have a pit to hiss in.