Snake Handling Easter Service in WSJ

[TGBTG]

The scripture admonishes that we should do all things to the glory of God. How does handling snakes in a church service glorify God?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I hate to sound like a cynic, but there is no magical power in being bitten and not dying.

Check out this guy's story....

http://www.brownwoodnews.com/index.p...life&Itemid=59

Jackie Bibby is a Texas snake wrangler, who has been bitten 9 times, leaving his hands and arms scarred..........

Did I say there was magical power in it? Was responding to someone wanting to take out life insurance on these people as if many of them die.... man I wish people would read threads carefully.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by TGBTG

The scripture admonishes that we should do all things to the glory of God. How does handling snakes in a church service glorify God?

Again, not that I condone the practice, but they believe they are partaking in obeying Scripture, and providing the signs of being believers as they interpret Scripture. I'm sure there are things you do in obedience to the Word as you believe it gives God glory... and they are in the same mind set.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Did I say there was magical power in it? Was responding to someone wanting to take out life insurance on these people as if many of them die.... man I wish people would read threads carefully.

I apologize for the misrepresentation, this comment was not directed at you. I only used your post to reply to.

My statement was just an observation for any and all who claimed that the power of God kept those folks from dying who WERE bitten.

My next statement would be that I anticipate the example of Pharoah's magicians replicating the power of God.......

[Michael Phelps]

So, here's my next question - the acts of "faith" demonstrated by the snake handling crew are limited to drinking strychnine and handling venemous snakes. But, why stop there? Why not jump off of cliffs and trust angels to bear one up? Why not walk out in front of a speeding train and trust that God's hand is going to stop it?

Where is the line drawn between demonstrating faith and being stupid?

Is it merely because these two acts (snakes and poison) are the only two specifically mentioned in Mark 16?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I apologize for the misrepresentation, this comment was not directed at you. I only used your post to reply to.

My statement was just an observation for any and all who claimed that the power of God kept those folks from dying who WERE bitten.

My next statement would be that I anticipate the example of Pharoah's magicians replicating the power of God.......

sorry for the misunderstanding....

[tv1a]

Any scripture to back it up, or speculation?

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I did not say healing does not occur today, just that this scripture was fulfilled. Further, I reject the idea that it was ever a litmus test for all believers individually - both in the early church or now.

[tv1a]

No brainer. No snakebites. God gets glory.

Originally Posted by TGBTG

The scripture admonishes that we should do all things to the glory of God. How does handling snakes in a church service glorify God?

[tv1a]

Matt 4:6
And [Satan} saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. KJV

The passage Satan quoted was a perversion of Psalms 91:12. It does not mention throwing oneself off high places.

Ps 91:9-13
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
KJV

Snake handling worshipers believe in a literal interpretation of the scripture. The act of faith is taking Jesus at his word with signs following. Red letter words say you wont' get hurt when you pick up a snake or drink poison. If Christ said to jump off a cliff, I'm sure they would give it a shot. Nowhere in the Bible does it suggest followers of Christ skydive without a parachute.

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

So, here's my next question - the acts of "faith" demonstrated by the snake handling crew are limited to drinking strychnine and handling venemous snakes. But, why stop there? Why not jump off of cliffs and trust angels to bear one up? Why not walk out in front of a speeding train and trust that God's hand is going to stop it?

Where is the line drawn between demonstrating faith and being stupid?

Is it merely because these two acts (snakes and poison) are the only two specifically mentioned in Mark 16?

[OneAccord]

Most serpent handlers that I have known were honest and sincere believers who gave Mark 16:18 as much weight as the 17th verse. If one verse said believers would speak "with new tongues", then the other verse- that they would "take up serpents" must also be true. They literally take God at His Word. To the extreme, to be sure, but the fact remains, they believe what the Bible says. Some even believe the word "shall" is a command... that the handling of serpents is a direct command of God.

I have known "believers" who handle serpents (attended 2 services...one where it all began in a place called "Dolly Pond", just north of Chattanooga), to drink poison and to handle fire. Never saw the last two, but know people who claimed to have done them.

God, in his infinite wisdom, I believe, gives us Scriptural precedence to help us to keep from going to the extreme in these matters. One, in 2 Kings 4, when people accidentally ate poisonous food. And in Pauls example when a viper bit him.


I was in a serpent handling service in Georgia and noticed the "handler" placed the box container a rattler on an Air Conditioner vent and left it there for quite awhile. At just the right time, when the "annointing" came on him (i.e., when the cold-blooded reptile was lethargic and almost lifeless from the cold air), he took it out and "proved his fake...I mean faith". When the snake began to warm up and began to move, he put it back.

Those who practice serpent handling, for the most part, are earnest in their faith. I neither condemn nor condone their actions. Nor will I participate. I fully believe God protects us from harm...but I also know God gave me enough sense to not play with fire. Or snakes. Or poison.