Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

To understand this Scripture, one must let other Scriptures be compared with it. This is a basic rule of interpreting any Scripture. By using various translations, one will have a "more rounded" understanding.

Many, today, are claiming to have the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," and as a result of it, they can perform the "signs" (1. power to cast out devils, 2. speak in tongues, 3. handle snakes, 4. drink poison, 5. heal the sick) found in Mark 16:17,18.

Let us understand, not what some present- day preacher says about Holy Spirit Baptism, but what the Bible says. First of all, we must realize that the promise of the Holy Spirit Baptism was given to the apostles only, and not the one hundred and twenty or so others. If one follows the pronouns of Acts 1:2-5, it is clear that "them" and "they" of verse four are the "apostles" of verse 2. They were the last mentioned group and the rule of English, as well as Greek, demand that "them" and "they" of verse 4 be understood as the "apostles," of verse 2.

The purpose of this baptism was to equip the apostles for their special task (John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 2:4). They were to receive and to instruct the church in the New Covenant. They would be led into all truth, and would have the ability to: 1. pen the "Word of God"; 2. speak in tongues (foreign languages without prior training); 3. perform miraculous works of healing on those with and without faith; 4. raise the dead; and 5. pass on one of these spiritual gifts through the "laying on of their hands," but the recipient of a gift could not pass it on to others. Thus, after the apostles died and those who had received a spiritual gift from them, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit "signs" ceased, and Paul said that they would, "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." (I Corinthians 13:8-10 NIV) That should settle it, shouldn't it? Again in II Corinthians 12:12, he refers to the "signs of an apostle."

Let us now turn in our Bibles back to Mark 16, where we began, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:18,18 NKJV) Notice what is transpiring in verse 14. Jesus is reprimanding the "eleven," (this was His twelve apostles, minus Judas who had committed suicide) for their unbelief.

The next two verses tell of Jesus issuing the "Great Commission." Notice the pronoun "HE" ("Whoever" in the NIV) is singular. This refers to any individual who accepts the Savior.

Then, in verses 17 and 18 the pronouns are switched to the plural form, "them" ("those" in the NIV) and "they." What was the last group (plural) mentioned? The answer is the "eleven" apostles in verse 14. Thus, the apostles only could do these "signs" and not every Christian. The book of Acts gives examples of each of these signs worked by an apostle, with exception of the fourth. Read Acts 2:4; 16:18; 28:5,7,8. Even though Eusebius (Third Century Church Historian) mentioned that this did happen to Justus Barsabas (cf. Acts 1:23) in Eusebius (III,39).

Newsweek, April 23, 1973, carried the article on two individuals in Carson Springs. Tennessee, who thought they would "prove their faith" by drinking a potent mixture of strychnine and water while the congregation chanted, "Praise God." Following the service the two men doubled up in an agony of convulsive twitching and by morning both were dead. They were buried at snake-handling funeral ceremonies, with their Bibles laying upon their stomachs, and opened to Mark 16:16-18.

Let us not be "fooled" by those who do not rightly divide the Word of God. The "signs" were to confirm or prove the Word, which the apostles preached (Mark 16:20; II Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4). If such "signs" existed today from God, then we could very well expect further revelation. Thus, if God would send further revelation, then the Bible would be outdated by it. To believe in present-day revelation is anti- scriptural. (See Galatians 1:8,9; Jude 1:3; Revelation 22:18,19)

Why do many today desire those things which were not meant for us? This is say, "God, I am not satisfied with just the Bible, speak to ME in some special way."

The Bible says that the miracles of Christ are recorded so that we might obtain faith, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:30,31 NKJV) The Bible says that we obtain faith by hearing of these miracles through the Word of God, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 NJKV), not through seeing them today.

Those who have gotten all excited about the "signs" mentioned in Mark 16:17,18, and insist on them in our day, should realize the error of their way by thinking about the snakes and strychnine.

From a study of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, one will learn that the promise was only to the apostles. However, in Acts 10 & 11 we find an exception made for Cornelius. This was for a special reason. That reason being to show the prejudiced Jews that God wanted the Gentiles saved also. Then, we also find that the apostle Paul received the baptism. Just when, it is not stated. Possibly during his three-year duration in Arabia (Galatians 1:15-18). But, it is certain that he was an apostle, called out of due time, and that he had the powers of an apostle (I Corinthians 9:1; 15:8; Romans 1:11).

We might note that God's Word teaches that there are only four groups who have power to do these signs: 1. Christ (Matthew 9:6, Acts 2:22); 2. Apostles (Acts 1:1-5; II Corinthians 12:12); 3. Disciples who had the Apostle's hands laid upon them (Acts 6:5-8; 8:5-18); 4. Anti-Christ (II Thessalonians 2:9).

Brethren, may we be on guard against those seeking after "signs." Might we give heed unto words of the inspired apostle Paul, "Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different, or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth." (Ephesians 4:14, Living Bible)

Home | Article Series - Be Ye Doers! | Poetry | Inspirational Stories | Search | Plan of Salvation | Links of Interest | Contact Us!
Stephen Kingery & Associates | Raye's Gift Shop | USA MegaMall