Here’s one more quick observation from Mark’s gospel. You may have noticed in some translations that verses 9 – 20 of chapter 16 “don’t appear in the oldest manuscripts.” There’s considerable scholarly debate on the subject (and the fact that there’s debate, in my opinion, means that no one really knows whether it should be included or not).

One issue is the promise of miracle signs in verses 17 and 18:

And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.” (Mark 16.17, 18, TPT)

I like that one charismatic preacher who believes not only that the apostles and their followers exercised these powers but that people today could also do so said something like

It says, “The signs follow the believers,” NOT, “The believers follow the signs.” There are too many people who go from one meeting to another to watch someone else heal people. That’s believers following the signs! Why not trust God to work through you too? – I forgot who I heard say that!

But these verses on signs shouldn’t be a problem since every one of them was documented fulfilled in the book of Acts!

• They will drive out demons (See Acts 16.16 – 18)
• They will speak in tongues (See Acts 2.1 – 12)
• They will be supernaturally protected from snakes (See Acts 28.1 – 6)
• They will lay hands on the sick and heal them (See Acts 28:7 – 10 for one of many)

Do we believe in the power Paul prayed for in Ephesians 1 or not?

[That you may know…] what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead… (Ephesians 1.19, 20, ESV)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,… (Ephesians 3.20, ESV)