and the One who walks with me on it.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Mark 16 Controversy- Part 3



-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?