Mark 16:18

[The_Way]

Hi Guys,

I’m currently debating with a Muslim and he has brought up this quote:

“They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.”

I know we can refute him but saying “you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. However, I remember hearing of a saint that was offered poison and was aware of it. He asked them from which side of the cup shall he drink pointing the to 4 sides thereby blessing the cup. He drank it and did not die.

Does anyone know the name of the saint or any saints that fall into this category?

God bless,

 

[James224]

Hi Guys,

I’m currently debating with a Muslim and he has brought up this quote:

“They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.”

I know we can refute him but saying “you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. However, I remember hearing of a saint that was offered poison and was aware of it. He asked them from which side of the cup shall he drink pointing the to 4 sides thereby blessing the cup. He drank it and did not die.

Does anyone know the name of the saint or any saints that fall into this category?

God bless,

I don’t know the saint but I wanted to say that this verse reminds me of the protestant churches up in Virginia who still bring snakes into the church and allow themselves to be bitten to prove this verse. I think they are call the “Snake Handlers” or something like that.

 

[Nita]

I don’t know the saint but I wanted to say that this verse reminds me of the protestant churches up in Virginia who still bring snakes into the church and allow themselves to be bitten to prove this verse. I think they are call the “Snake Handlers” or something like that.

Now that sounds like “putting God to the test” doesn’t it?

 

[StTommyMore]

Hi Guys,

I’m currently debating with a Muslim and he has brought up this quote:

“They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.”

I know we can refute him but saying “you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. However, I remember hearing of a saint that was offered poison and was aware of it. He asked them from which side of the cup shall he drink pointing the to 4 sides thereby blessing the cup. He drank it and did not die.

Does anyone know the name of the saint or any saints that fall into this category?

God bless,

It reminds me of St. Benedict, and when his enemies tried to poison him, the chalice woth poison wine shattered.

 

[Forte]

I’m pretty sure the story of a Saint eating poisoned food was Saint Anthony of Padua, at least the way I heard it.

The way I see it, the scripture was speaking more spiritually than literally. Obviously, not every Christian is immune to poison.

 

[twinc]

I’m pretty sure the story of a Saint eating poisoned food was Saint Anthony of Padua, at least the way I heard it.

The way I see it, the scripture was speaking more spiritually than literally. Obviously, not every Christian is immune to poison.

St.Paul on his way to Rome was shipwrecked at Malta and on coming ashore was bitten by a snake and survived - twinc

 

[The_Way]

That’s great! Thanks guys…

Another issue that came up was the “adding to Mark 16:8 onwards which do not appear in the older manuscripts. He uses that to show that our Bible today is unreliable”.

I also read a web site that suggests since the latter verses were added they may not be the inspired word of God. I thought the books chosen by the magisterium are all inspired.

Does anyone know “when they were added”?

God bless,

 

[rcjones]

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

In sensus plenior:

They shall take up serpents They shall lift up the cross as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so that those who turn to Christ will be saved.
**
If they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them** If they partake of any deadly doctrine it shall not hurt them. They shall resist bad doctrine.

they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. They shall do work on the
sick… the word comes from deliver or issue. This concept refers to being born in the OT.

They shall do work on those being born…
and they shall
**recover **this word also means beautiful or useful.

They shall do work on those being born and they shall become useful.

This talks of discipleship. See Onesimus… his name means useful. He was the slave of Philemon who became useful.

**
They will proclaim the cross, resist bad doctrine and make disciples. **

 

[The_Way]

That’s great! Thanks guys…

Another issue that came up was the “adding to Mark 16:8 onwards which do not appear in the older manuscripts. He uses that to show that our Bible today is unreliable”.

I also read a web site that suggests since the latter verses were added they may not be the inspired word of God. I thought the books chosen by the magisterium are all inspired.

Does anyone know “when they were added”?

Anybody?

 

[inkaneer]

Hi Guys,

I’m currently debating with a Muslim and he has brought up this quote:

“They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.”

I know we can refute him but saying “you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. However, I remember hearing of a saint that was offered poison and was aware of it. He asked them from which side of the cup shall he drink pointing the to 4 sides thereby blessing the cup. He drank it and did not die.

Does anyone know the name of the saint or any saints that fall into this category?

God bless,

Context, context, context. Read the whole passage in Mark. This occurs after the resurrection when Jesus appears to the eleven Apostles. They did not believe Mary Magdalene when she told them Jesus was alive and she saw Him. They also did not believe the two disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. So starting with verse 14 Mark writes:

"14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Notice verse 14. Jesus scolds the Apostles for not believing what was told to them. He then tells them to go into the world and promises them that certains signs will accompany those who believe. And these signs did accompany the early church from curing the sick to raising from the dead. These signs were gifts of the Holy Spirit given to some but not everyone receives these gifts and most do not receive any of thise mentioned. So did these signs occur? Yes. Did all of the early believers exhibit these signs? No.