What about snake handling? Why do some southern churches practice this?

Question

If it is Biblical....why don't more churches practice it?

Are these people misinterpreting the Bible...how can so many religions read the same Bible and interpret it differently?

Which among you are correct in your interpretations? Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Jews, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists or the Amish?

Seriously, which religion is right in your determination...and don't give me any of this "sunday school" verse regurgitation of those that believe that Jesus is the son of God and raised from the dead...are true....

Specifically, which of the above religion do you feel are true religions and which ones have the members that will burn in the fiery pits of hell?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as the same Bible. The King James was created because he thought the Genesis Bible was too strict. Even than, it took 150 year and four revisions to get one that met with the approval of the Church of England and it could be Authorized. Since then it has be revised several more times. The last version was the basis for the statement made by the British Bishop of the Church of England last November that children born with defects should not be allowed to live. If you believe the KJV is the right one, than you must agree with him.

It should be noted that none of the complete Biblical texts survived last long after the Apostles were killed. This is why the Nicean Council met. They were told to gather all the remaining fragments of the scriptures and get the religion back in order. They did the best they could, but the entirety of Jesus' gospel was lost. We were left with pieces. This is why we have so many denominations today.

Consider also that the New Testament was written by what was consider a cult made up of mostly uneducated individuals, to support their new religion, rather than keeping to the Holy Torah, which had sustained God's People for hundreds of years.

Answer 2

I am from the south and have never seen that done. Although, I would run away quickly if it happened...I interpret that scripture to mean for example, if I am on a running trail and I see a poisonous snake, God will protect me. This has actually happened to me many times...I don't get too caught up in denominations. I am a charismatic believer that started off as a Baptist but started to believe in the fullness of the Holy Spirit which is a no no to Baptist..I think if someone is truly a believer, regardless of denomination, then they will be in Heaven. I try to steer clear of casting people into hell as I don't know everyone's heart.

Answer 3

Snake handling along with speaking in tongues (among other things) are considered gifts of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and is practiced in Pentecostal denomination churches. It has nothing to do with the geographic location.

Of the religions and denominations (you listed both) JW's, Mormon's and Jews will not achieve eternal life because they deny the Deity of Jesus. The others you list are denominations of Christianity and IF they preach, teach and observe Christian Orthodoxy they will be saved. The jury is still out on Episcopalians due to the unorthodox behavior of some of their churches.

Answer 4

I am going to be as blunt as possible...and I know this is going to hurt a few people's feelings....

Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, and Jews...all of these groups deny the deity of Christ. The JW's and Jews do not believe that Jesus was the son of God, Mormons believe that God was once a man who was perfect enough to spiritually elevate to godhood and that we can do that as well...all three groups undermine the position of Jesus or God...and for that reason Christians do not believe they are going to Heaven. This sucks...especially since my grandmother was a Mormon and she was one of the kindest people I ever knew..but it doesn't come down to how nice or good you are...it comes down to do you believe Jesus it the way, the truth, and the life.

As for the Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Amish and Catholics...all these groups are Christian, we just interpret small things a little differently, but we ALL agree that Jesus was the Son of God and the only source of salvation.

*waits for her thumbs down from Mormons, JW's, and Jews*

Birdie,

Watch out for those Seven-Day-Adventists...it's a cult and a VERY dangerous one. They used to be called the Branch Davidian...which was the cult in Waco, TX where 86 people died, burnt alive in some sacrificial way. Watch out.

Answer 5

Nothing that is practiced by a church should contradict another part of the Bible. Unfortunately, people sometimes take one verse, and take it to the extreme.

Snake-handlers get their doctrine from Mark 16:18, which says:

"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."

However, this does not mesh with what Jesus said when he was tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:7:

"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Basically, when the Bible says that serpents and deadly drinks won't harm them, it doesn't mean to seek out serpents and deadly things to test God with.

Anyway, to answer your second question, I believe that the Seventh-day Adventist church is spreading the Bible truth, and that's why I joined it.

Go here for an explanation:
http://amazingfacts.org/items/Read_Book.asp?SelLang=en&ID=37

If you find fault with it, please let me know.

As far as what religion has members that I believe will burn in hell... well, I have no idea. That's up to God. He is just. He will not hold anybody accountable for what they don't know; however, they will be accountable for being willingly ignorant.

Answer 6

From reading in this forum, the Church's are those called Church of God. Not many still do, but there are some that remain that carry on this practice.
Most have seen the light of error and danger and have stopped these practices.

Careful bible study will show most of the answers you seek. The question is now,"Will you believe what you read"?

Answer 7

Only mean people will cease to exist when they die. They would really have to be something to survive death and then become an evil spirit them self. Good people no matter who they are will continue in the Spirit world (even Good Humanist Atheists). I had a friend who thought he was a snake doctor, he also thinks he is a Jewish Prophet Eli. He is tri-polar. Good guy when he is on meds. I feel he is possessed by the idea he had. Messing with things he did not understand, nor was blessed to work with by Spirit. It takes many years, similar to being a Mainstream Culture MD. Sad! He stole one of my guitars and a sacred Hopi statue from me. I tried to tell him, in the Indian way, Good Spirits do not come to mentally ill people. Take your meds, if they come then then it is good. I know of no best or true religion, I do know there are good people who belive though......... And have faith, in the face of science and the flying fish in the sky...........

Answer 8

Mark 16:16 to 16:18.

Any follower of Jesus that dies from a snake bite or is poisoned or is not able to cure people by laying hands, is just not a true believer.


For the ones who 'prove' their belief by handling snakes should try a cup of potassium cyanide instead. Or is their faith in Mark not strong enough?

Answer 9

Sounds like a lie to me, I can not see a bunch of guys in suits going to handle snakes on Sunday.

How should I know who will burn in the fiery pits of hell, who am I to judge.

Answer 10

snakes and snake ain't in Bible

Mar 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. It is just an act of Faith, there are many snake handlers in the world ! Many poisons been made to heal now