-The Great Commission
While some scholars do not include Mark
16:9-20 as part of the gospel, I do, for the reasons that follow. All but one verse have comparable verses
elsewhere. Jesus speaks of believers who
will also do the works He did- many of which were very miraculous. V.8 would end Mark’s gospel negatively-
unlike the other 3 gospels, but v.19,20 as the ending are similar to the others
in style. As well, early church fathers
quoted it as did at least one historian at that time. But whether or not we accept it as
legitimate, we’ve got to decide on all the other corresponding Scriptures.
Remember Jesus said:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in
me will also do the works* that I do; and
greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Jh. 14:12
ESV
(for further meaning read Friday’s post)
So what works did Jesus do? This list is not a complete list, but He said
to tell John what ‘you hear and see’:
*the blind receive
their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the
dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them. Mt. 11:4,5
Should
there be signs today? I don’t see where
God put a time limit on it, except for 1Cor. 13:8-10 YLT, “…and whether there
be prophecies, they shall become useless; whether tongues, they shall cease;
whether knowledge, it shall become useless; for in part we know, and in part we
prophecy; and when that which is perfect may come, then that which is in part
shall become useless.” Who or what is
perfect? Only Jesus and/or Heaven, so at
the time He comes or Heaven is ours, these other things won’t be needed
anymore. (No more healings for we’ll all
be in perfect health, no dead people raised as death is no more, etc.)
Others
think only the apostles or disciples could do these things, or just someone
specially anointed nowadays. Jh. 14
says, “whoever believes” and Mk. 16:17 says, “those believing”. Scriptures- signs, miracles, wonders done through:
-12 disciples (including Judas!) Mt.
10:1-11:1 (then as apostles in Acts)
-70 disciples Lk. 10:9-17
-Stephen Ac. 6:8; Ananias Ac. 9:17,18;
Barnabas Ac. 14:3
-the Galatians Gal. 3:5 (these are only the ones found in the Bible)
While I
don’t think we should ‘look’ for signs to prove anything, there is nothing
wrong with desiring all God has for us. 1Cor.
12:31 says, “…zealously strive after
the better gifts…” and 1Cor. 14:1 includes, “…desire spiritual things…” and
these gifts include Holy Spirit workings- words of wisdom or knowledge, faith, healings, power of miracles,
prophesies, discerning of spirits, tongues
and interpretation (1Cor. 12:8-10). The
apostles earnestly prayed for boldness to speak, and that God would heal, do miracles and wonders (Ac. 4:29-30).
Were they wrong to pray for this?
Why signs, wonders and such?
Mk. 16:17, “…signs* will follow to those believing…” Paul spoke of ministering the gospel (Rom. 15:16) through signs and wonders (v.19) to
confirm what he spoke (Heb. 2:3,4). (*miracle, sign, token, wonder)
-to
prove minister is sent by God (Ac. 2:43;
2Cor. 12:12)
-to
prove the message is from God (Ac. 8:6)
-to
meet our needs (Mt. 16:8-10; Lk. 8:22-25)
-as
judgment (Ac. 5:1-10)
-to
bring glory to God (Ac. 2:7,12; 3:10;
11:8; 12:10)
-to
bring fear of the Lord or conviction (Ac. 5:11;
7:57; 16:29;
19:17)
-that
they might believe (Ac. 9:35,42; 13:12)
-to
know who Jesus is (Mt. 14:33; Ac. 9:34,35)
-the gentiles at Caesarea
(Ac. 10:45)
So, one
question always remains for me. Where
are the signs in conjunction with the gospel preaching?