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Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Brother Eric, can you explain the real meaning of Mark 16:17-18? 17 And these signs will follow those who believe  The words that are throwing many people off, are these ones: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe:  We are believers too, right?  Why are we not doing this if we also, are believers?  Thanks. 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary6

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  This is a very problematic passage for many people, but not for the church members.  Many want to apply these verses, that is, 17 and 18, to modern miracle healers, and they claim to have the power to do many things in the name of Jesus.  Many say that we, the members of the church of Christ, are “dead” spiritually, because we do not do those things that Jesus promised to those who believe in HIM! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary7

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Brothers and sisters, I would say that this question is easy to understand, as long as we understand what the purpose of many of the things that happened in the New Testament times, were for.  Again, many want to force us to believe that Mark 16:17-18, extends all the way to common people today. Sectarians are claiming that they have the power to do wonders and signs like they did in those NT times.  Is that what the Bible says? 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary8

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Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Are people today doing what the Bible says? Are people being obedient?  Let us check all of the things that Jesus says:  16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  Do many want to be baptized today?  NO!  Do they want to perform miracles?  Yes! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary10

Understanding Mark 16: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Let’s check verse 17: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Some are saying that as long “you” believe, you can do. As long as you have faith, you can do all of the things that Jesus promised.  Is that was Jesus was saying in Mark 16?  Was the promise for all, or just for the 12? 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary11

Understanding Mark 16: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Let’s check verse 17: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Let’s all understand this evening, and don’t lose focus. All of these signs were to CONFIRM what the apostles were preaching and teaching, after Jesus’ ascension!  It was not to entertain the masses! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary12

Understanding Mark 16: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Let’s check verse 17: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Mark 16:20. Was it to entertain anyone?  Hebrews 2:3 also explains what many deceivers are claiming today.  The miracles, signs and wonders were used by Jesus to back up all of the things the apostles were about to teach to the people. 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary13 with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs Mark 16:20 (NKJV) 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles Hebrews 2:3 (NKJV) 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, Hebrews 4 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Understanding Mark 16: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Ok, back again to verse 17: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  Who is casting out demons today in 2015?  No one!  The promise in verse 17, if we stay in the context, was made only to the apostles.  How do we know that, a Pentecostal may ask?  Read verse 11, 13, 14. Jesus has been rebuking the twelve for their lack of faith… 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:11 (NKJV) 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. but they did not believe them either. Mark 16:13 (NKJV) 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Mark 16:14 (NKJV) 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 1) 1) ver. 11, They (The apostles, ver. 10) when they Heard that he was alive, and that He was seen by Mary Magdalene (ver. 9), did not believe it. They did not believe in the testimony about the resurrection of Jesus. See Luke 24:11. 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:10 (NKJV) 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. Luke 24:11 (NKJV) 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 2) 2) ver. Luke 24:12,13, Jesus appeared to two disciples and the physical testimony of these was not believed by the apostles. 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Luke 24:12-13 (NKJV) 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 3) 3) ver. 14, Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles and He rebuked their unbelief!  Where do you see the Pentecostal Charismatics in here?  NO WHERE! Jesus was not talking to them! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:14 (NKJV) 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 4) 4) ver , After He commissioned the apostles to go into all the world with the gospel, He promised to give them powers in order to perform signs (miracles), with the condition that they would believe in His resurrection and not continue in their unbelief. 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:15-17 (NKJV) 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 5) ver. 19, following the discussion after talking to the apostles directly, and about the promise for them (with the condition that they would believe in Him and also in the resurrection), and would not continue in their unbelief. (Lord Jesus went back to heaven) 5) ver. 19, following the discussion after talking to the apostles directly, and about the promise for them (with the condition that they would believe in Him and also in the resurrection), and would not continue in their unbelief. (Lord Jesus went back to heaven) 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:19 (NKJV) 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18  Let’s consider the context very CARFULLY PLEASE! 6) 6) ver. 20, Then the apostles went out preaching the gospel with the Lord helping them… Matthew 28:20, according to what he had promised! Now that the Signs that Jesus promised were following the apostles, they left their unbelief and taught many the fact that Jesus came back from the dead! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary Mark 16:20 (NKJV) 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Understanding Mark 16:17-18 is always the rule  Brothers and sisters, The Bible Context is always the rule we use to interpret the Bible! 9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary

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9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary23 Zechariah: Prophesy from God Would Cease! Prophesy from God Would Cease! Zechariah prophesied that a time would come when all prophesy from God would cease, and all that would remain would be false prophets. (Zech. 13:2-3 ).Zech. 13:2-3 The time in which all prophesies from God ceases is only revealed in God's word (Rom. 10:17). We must go to God's word to learn when the time foretold by Zechariah would come.Rom. 10:17 All prophesies from God have ceased, because miracles have ceased. Anyone claiming to prophesy of God is a false prophet. Zechariah 13:2-3 (NKJV) 2 "It shall be in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. 3 It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, 'You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.' And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies.

9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary24  What was the Purpose of Miracles?  God testified that Jesus, the apostles, and prophets were speaking His word, through miracles (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:1-4). In this way, He confirmed His word (Heb. 2:3).Mk. 16:20Heb. 2:1-4Heb. 2:3  After God's word was confirmed, the need for miracles no longer existed.  Paul tells us that miracles were temporary, telling us there's a better way to live than with miraculous power (1 Cor. 12:31).1 Cor. 12:31 Hebrews 2:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV) 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary25  Miraculous Power was Conferred by an Apostle Laying Hands Upon a Person  In the Bible, Christians could not perform miracles unless an apostle laid hands on them (Acts 8:14-17; 19:5-6).Acts 8: :5-6  Since Paul was the last apostle (1 Cor. 15:8; cf. Acts 1:21-25), there are no apostles on earth today.1 Cor. 15:8Acts 1:21-25  Since there aren't any apostles on earth to lay hands on people, it is impossible for people to perform miracles today. Acts 8:14-17 (NKJV) 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:5-6 (NKJV) 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

9/13/2015church of Christ Calgary26  Miracles Were Temporary  Paul tells people doing miracles in the first century, there was a better way to live than with miraculous power. Love is better than miracles (1 Cor. 12:31).1 Cor. 12:31  Paul tells us that miracles were temporary, and that they would cease (1 Cor. 13:8-12).1 Cor. 13:8-12 "perfect" "partial"  Miracles would cease when the "perfect" came, then the "partial" (miracles) would be done away with (1 Cor. 13:10) and they would "know fully" (1 Cor. 13:12).1 Cor. 13:101 Cor. 13:12 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV) 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. perfect part 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NKJV) 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

“When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 The Purpose of Miracles To show that GOD is the one behind the events

Miraculous gifts will cease. There will be a time when they will: –Fail –Cease –Vanish “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” {1 Corinthians 13:8} “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come”

When that which is perfect has come … –“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” {1 Corinthians 13:9,10} “Perfect” (teleios)—that which grows to completeness or wholeness. “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come”

“In Part” “In Part” (Verse 10) ProphecyTongues Knowledge John 16:13 2 Pet 1:2-3 2 Tim 3: Corinthians 13:8-13 “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” “when that which is perfect has come…”

Paul’s analogy of a child to a man –“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” {1 Corinthians 13:11} As children grow, they need help. God has given us help so we can grow! {Ephesians 4:11-16} “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come”

The Mirror (Verse 12) “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” {1 Corinthians 13:12} Dim outline of God’s willDim outline of God’s will “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.“ {James 1:25} “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come”

Perfect law tells us all we need to know “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.“ {2 Peter 1:3} “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” The Mirror (Verse 12) “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” {1 Corinthians 13:12}

Ultimate purpose summed up by John “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 20:31} “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” The Mirror (Verse 12) “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” {1 Corinthians 13:12}

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” “What will abide” “What will abide” (Verse 13) 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Faith – will one day be realized Hope – will one day be realized Love – will abide forever!

“When that which is perfect has come…” “When That Which Is Perfect Has Come” 1 Corinthians 13:8-13