Has anyone tried the test of a true Chrisitan believer (from the bible)?

Question

It says in the bible that a true Chrisitan believer can drink deadly poison without being harmed.

Either there are no true Christian believers on earth

or

Someone (not God) had something to do with the writing of the bible.

Answer 1

Where did you find that? I don't doubt your honesty, I've just never heard of that before. But to answer your question, no, I haven't drunk a deadly poison. But I'm not Christian, so I shouldn't have to.

Answer 2

two points, of the few "Biblical Literalist" groups in southern Appalachia that use this text. They only use the the part about snakes, and not poison. The reasoning (bizarre) is that hte text says when you pick up snakes, but it says if you drink poison. So they take it as a command of sorts to pick up snakes, but only if by accident if they got poisoned. (yes, there may be a couple of fringe groups that do test the poison thing every once in a while, but I was talking about in general).
The second point is about Biblical authority. Many believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. There are variances within the tradition after that. Some say that God told the human authors what to write, some say that God controlled exactly what to say, and some believe that they were humans, writing letters, songs, histories, and theology out of lives governed by the Spirit of God. This last view means that the Bible is inspired and considered Holy, but not considered to have no imperfections in the text. There are no original manuscripts of the Bible, it has been preserved carefully by the community of faith that reveres it. Of course each writer had different perspectives, cultural concerns, original audiences adn problems that they were specifically addressing. This doesn't mean that the Bible has no application today. This means that it is best read by people in a community of faith that has a tradition of interpreting it well. With enough twisting, and text isolation, the Bible can be a very dangerous tool for justification of some pretty heinous acts. Taken as a whole in context and with a little sound reason and guidance from the same Spirit of God who inspired the Bible, we can read it and apply it in light of the truth of God revealed not only in the Bible, but in the world around us.
I don't agree with your statement that there aren't very many Christians in the world, I would argue that instead there just aren't many in the United States. Unfortunately we have come to equate going to church or being american as being Christian, which may be the funniest thing I have heard all day.

Answer 3

That area of the scriptures replaced into further later. It did not seem in the oldest and maximum notably recognized Bible manuscripts, the Vatican 1209 and the Sinaitic, do no longer include this area; they finish Mark’s Gospel with verse 8. There are also distinctive historic manuscripts that include a short ending of just about one verse previous 8; and different manuscripts include both conclusions. So, some manuscripts end with verse 8, others have a short ending, others have a lengthy ending, and some even provide both endings. as well to this testimony of the Greek manuscripts, all of which mixes to solid doubt on Mark’s having written some thing previous verse 8, there are countless the oldest variations (or translations) that do not include the verses in question. between such are historic Syriac, Armenian and Ethiopic variations. No ask your self that the stated manuscript authority Dr. Westcott states that “the verses which keep on with [9-20] are not any area of the unique narrative yet an appendage.” between different stated scholars of a similar opinion are Tregelles, Tische What about the area the position is says to drink poison? would you're trying this also?

Answer 4

I don't think that means on purpose. I think it's trying to say a true Christian trust in God to protect them fully with out a doubt. So if that Christian should come across something harmful God will protect them. It doesn't mean go out and drink some poison if you think your a true Christian. I'm not a Christian but I understand that.

Answer 5

It's in Mark 16, I think. The last chapter in Mark anyway.

And there are groups in Eastern KY that test the claims of this chapter by handling poisonous snakes because there is a verse that mentions the ability of Christians to handle poisonous snakes and live. Many do get bit and die though.

Answer 6

The Bible is also written in metaphor or parables. Poison would represent false doctrines and drinking would represent learning those doctrines. A true believer has a good heart and is unaffected. The truth belongs to good and falseness belongs to evil.

Answer 7

I'm not Christian but agree with your last statement, that these parts of the last chapter of Matthew were put in by a man after the original writing.

In essense agreeing with you the current modern day post king james bible isn't the word for word of God.

Answer 8

Trick question, with even tricky answer. I should have died several times from alcohol poisoning, but I didn't. One might say that no Christian would drink that much, to which I would point out that some paths of righteousness have greater struggles than others.

This I believe; http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm

Answer 9

I believe it's just a metaphor, saying that in the face on diversity you can prevail if you believe in God. I don't think it meant drink poison. But that's just my opinion.

Answer 10

It also says "Do not put the Lord thy God to the test!" Matthew 4.