Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
Well you realize "them that believe" can refer to the entire group as a whole and not to each individual believer
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Sure. So, if that's the case, would it mean that the group takes up serpents, if perhaps only a few individuals actually do so? And what about tongues? If just one member of the group speaks in tongues, can it be said that the group speaks in tongues? I think the answer would have to be the same for every one of the signs that follow.
(Don't know if you are one that cites this passage as proof that tongues are required of Christians. I'm pretty sure you don't require snake handling!)
But look at the poison-drinking sign. As some have pointed out, it doesn't say they
shall drink poison and not be harmed. It says
if they do, they will not be harmed. Still, it's pretty clearly written and explicit in its claim: if they drink poison, it will not hurt them. Not sure how that could be applied as above, with signs following "them" as a group but not necessarily each individual. If several individuals drink poison and some but not all of them survive, does that count?
That illustrates the point in bringing up this question about additions to the Bible. Even if they are well-meaning, and even if they may, to some extent, be in harmony with other scriptures, they can be dangerous. E.g., I know there are cases of deaths by snake byte, in snake handling churches (not enough faith, or sloppy technique?). I also have heard that the snake handlers sometimes also drink poison, but I don't know whether that practice has resulted in death. Even if a bogus addition, if there is such, doesn't kill someone, it could lead to false doctrine.
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