Mark 16:18

[37818]

Mark 16:9-20 are not in the oldest copies of the gospel.

A sum total of just two copies.

[Cow Poke]

It is to what Mark 16:18 refers. Not the nonsense of playing with snakes as some false test of faith not to get bit. Paul got bit.

Yes - because the power of our faith may protect us from poisonous snakes is no reason to hunt down poisonous snakes and "tempt God".

[37818]

This should not be interpreted as Paul using the bite of a vipor as test of his faith as the Pentacostal Holliness believers propose. This is an example of a response to a natural incident where it is possible that Paul was protected or healed by Divine intervention.

It is to what Mark 16:18 refers. Not the nonsense of playing with snakes as some false test of faith not to get bit. Paul got bit.

[shunyadragon]

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. . . . . . . And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." -- Acts 28:3-5.

This should not be interpreted as Paul using the bite of a vipor as test of his faith as the Pentacostal Holliness believers propose. This is an example of a response to a natural incident where it is possible that Paul was protected or healed by Divine intervention.

[37818]

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. . . . . . . And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." -- Acts 28:3-5.

[shunyadragon]

Mark 16:9-20 are not in the oldest copies of the gospel.

Regardless. the quote need not be taken literal as the basis for acts testing one's faith handling snakes. It could be simply symbolic of the power of one's faith to meet tests in the 'crucible of life.' Justifying one verse or verses as being original or not based on what texts are available is a dangerous rabbit hole to go down.

[shunyadragon]

Pretty sure this has been addressed: But I am watching a documentary/reality tv show called "Snake Salvation" Which follows the lives of two pastors in the outliers of the Pentecostal Holiness Movement known as Snake Handling. I'm posting it here in Comparative religions because I'm not sure how much more unorthodox you can get according to Christianity without being in a cult subset. I can't quite wrap my mind around a religious sect that basis its whole worship and ideas off of an entire verse. From my understanding their whole belief regarding salvation rests not on the crucifixion and resurrection but on this verse.
After hearing some interview, the pastors and their congregants are willing to defy law which is designed to protect endangered or threatened wildlife and human population from life threatening injuries, deny medical attention at risk of death. Though admittedly pit vipers which are the species they handle tend to deliver "dry bites" as warnings first which would explain why death is seen but not as common.

I find the lack of knowledge really sad. I don't don't doubt these folks really love each other and on some level when your raised in a 100 year old tradition you really likely develop an intense love for the Lord, but I believe they are blinded by their beliefs, much in the way some of the churches of Scripture were blinded and did not have a controlled worship service and became caught up.

If this need be moved please do it. I have never stepped foot in a snake church much less a pentecostal holiness church. Has anyone seen this up close and personal?
Its comparison to more mainstream Christianity is like comparing Hari Krishna to Authentic Hinduism.. IMO

I consider it a full blown cult. Actually Hari Krishna is not that far from Hinduism. There are many subsets of Hinduism more interesting than the Hari Krishna in India.

I would prefer to compare religions than extreme cults

[Catholicity]

Mark 16:9-20 are not in the oldest copies of the gospel.

Yes, I have been reading that. Scholars think they were added in the second century. Although I doubt that Sects such as the Pentecostal Holiness and Holiness who have no formal seminary actually know this. They're also KJV only.

[Jedidiah]

Mark 16:9-20 are not in the oldest copies of the gospel.

[Catholicity]

Pretty sure this has been addressed: But I am watching a documentary/reality tv show called "Snake Salvation" Which follows the lives of two pastors in the outliers of the Pentecostal Holiness Movement known as Snake Handling. I'm posting it here in Comparative religions because I'm not sure how much more unorthodox you can get according to Christianity without being in a cult subset. I can't quite wrap my mind around a religious sect that basis its whole worship and ideas off of an entire verse. From my understanding their whole belief regarding salvation rests not on the crucifixion and resurrection but on this verse.
After hearing some interview, the pastors and their congregants are willing to defy law which is designed to protect endangered or threatened wildlife and human population from life threatening injuries, deny medical attention at risk of death. Though admittedly pit vipers which are the species they handle tend to deliver "dry bites" as warnings first which would explain why death is seen but not as common.

I find the lack of knowledge really sad. I don't don't doubt these folks really love each other and on some level when your raised in a 100 year old tradition you really likely develop an intense love for the Lord, but I believe they are blinded by their beliefs, much in the way some of the churches of Scripture were blinded and did not have a controlled worship service and became caught up.

If this need be moved please do it. I have never stepped foot in a snake church much less a pentecostal holiness church. Has anyone seen this up close and personal?
Its comparison to more mainstream Christianity is like comparing Hari Krishna to Authentic Hinduism.. IMO