snake handling and drinking poison for jesus?

Question

how did this come about? which verses did these people bastardize in order to legitamize this craziness?

Answer 1

This is something I've always found hilarious. A sect of Christians taking something that is written in their storybook and using it to do something that could potentially cause serious injury and death.

They must have a low opinion of their god if they think he would have them do something such as this. Some of these people take the story of the bible way too literally. You would think they would learn after Uncle Cletus got bit in the face by a rattler and died flopping around on the floor.

I say let them french kiss rattlers and drink all the poison milk shakes they want. Idiots like that need to be eradicated from the face of the Earth, they are taking up the oxygen needed by people with a brain.

Answer 2

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
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.

My own opinion is that the Holy Spirit can and does protect people from such things, as they are doing His work. That is, if a missionary, for instance, should be bitten by a poisonous snake while he's trekking through the jungle on his way to bring the gospel to some natives who haven't heard it, he won't be harmed.
If he should be given a drink meant to hurt him by some witchdoctor...he won't be harmed.
But purposely seeking these things out does not guarantee His protection...nor should it.

Answer 3

I've been in a few churches where I fully expected the snakes to come out -- and I was fully prepared to create a new door in their church! I don't believe at all that the scriptures mandated or challenged us as believers to do stupid stuff like handle snakes or drink poison. I do believe that it means IF you accidental ingest poison, or inadvertently step on a snake, we can believe for our deliverance!

Answer 4

bastardize?

Mark 16:15-19
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

go ahead, read the entire chapter... it doesnt change the meaning of the verse.

note: the guy below me is wrong, it says "whoever believes" not "whoever believes and is an apostle"

Answer 5

Hello,

As a kid in Sunday school we were taught that snake handling through to standing in front of an on coming train is a sin of presumption since you are putting God to the test that he'll save you.

Ignorance I'll wager but like they say, ignorance of laws is no excuse.

Michael

Answer 6

They call themselves the Church of Jesus with Signs Following. I don't get the name, either, but they are located somewhere here in the South (where else?). They dance with rattlesnakes and drink Clorox and strychnine. I think the theory is that if you are a true believer, you won't get bitten/poisoned. Weird huh?

Answer 7

This practice is found in the Pentecostal church.This is taken from Mark 16:17,18.

I'm afraid of snakes and poison,so I must
find another way to prove my belief.

Answer 8

And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. 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. (Mark 16:17-18)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

These verses are the most frequently cited by the various groups who handle snakes, or drink strychnine.

http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/Snakes.html

Answer 9

Mar 16:18 they will take up snakes; and if they drink anything deadly, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will be well.

This was referring to the apostles only, not all believers.

Answer 10

At best it is pure temptation, and those that practice this most bizarre act are ignorant of Christianity; they are self-deceived into believing it is OK to tempt God. It is not hard to see that God's image is NOT to tempt Him. These people need to wake up from their darkness.