Word@Work 216 - Mark 16:17-18
Published: Wed, 09/24/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 16:17-18 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." (NIV)*
Signs are not designed to be objects of wonder in their own right: their job is to point out the right way to go. They are not intended as museum pieces for admiration, but as obvious turning points to enable people to get on track. As the Gospel message spread, the book of the Acts tells of all sorts of miracles that drew attention to the uniquely powerful Jesus. In astonishing ways, while some apostles died as martyrs, others were preserved through multiple life threatening circumstances (cf 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Such signs were a part of God's commendation of Jesus (cf Acts 2:22) and of the apostles (cf Acts 5:12), to a sinful world.
Even those who denied the message could not ignore the miracles. Hebrews 2:2-4 insists that the salvation-message has so many remarkable flags all around it, that missing it - is culpable negligence! (For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.)(NIV)
The Christian Way is not just a nice comfort for the sad, nor rules for the religious: it is packed with power! The gospel is the power of God for salvation; and the power to deal with demons. It does not rank alongside the multiple belief systems in our world: it is uniquely superior - as Jesus is superior to the angels (cf Hebrews 1:4). Many people do not have a clue that this is true; but all the evidence is in the Bible. Most will not open it by themselves, so why not invite a friend to read it with you? Mark's Gospel is a good place to start, and the Word@Work archives will help you with a verse by verse commentary!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that You have given us Your Word - to show the world what an amazing person You are, and how much Christ has done for us. Help me to defeat Satan's lies, by taking courage to ask my friends to read the Bible with me ... so that they can see how wonderful you are, and receive Your love. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Signs are not designed to be objects of wonder in their own right: their job is to point out the right way to go. They are not intended as museum pieces for admiration, but as obvious turning points to enable people to get on track. As the Gospel message spread, the book of the Acts tells of all sorts of miracles that drew attention to the uniquely powerful Jesus. In astonishing ways, while some apostles died as martyrs, others were preserved through multiple life threatening circumstances (cf 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Such signs were a part of God's commendation of Jesus (cf Acts 2:22) and of the apostles (cf Acts 5:12), to a sinful world.
Even those who denied the message could not ignore the miracles. Hebrews 2:2-4 insists that the salvation-message has so many remarkable flags all around it, that missing it - is culpable negligence! (For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.)(NIV)
The Christian Way is not just a nice comfort for the sad, nor rules for the religious: it is packed with power! The gospel is the power of God for salvation; and the power to deal with demons. It does not rank alongside the multiple belief systems in our world: it is uniquely superior - as Jesus is superior to the angels (cf Hebrews 1:4). Many people do not have a clue that this is true; but all the evidence is in the Bible. Most will not open it by themselves, so why not invite a friend to read it with you? Mark's Gospel is a good place to start, and the Word@Work archives will help you with a verse by verse commentary!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that You have given us Your Word - to show the world what an amazing person You are, and how much Christ has done for us. Help me to defeat Satan's lies, by taking courage to ask my friends to read the Bible with me ... so that they can see how wonderful you are, and receive Your love. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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