Do You Have Something in Common W/Snake Handlers? - Page 3

Brother Price · #21 06-03-2008, 04:55 AM

I believe in those scriptures. I believe believers shall speak with new tongues, shall cast out demons, shall lay hands on the sick, and shall take up serpents or drink any deadly thing and it shall by no means hurt them.

OneAccord · #22 06-03-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamgar1

Do You Have Something in Common W/Snake Handlers?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't snake handlers do what they do because they believe God will protect them from the poison of deadly things?

Have you ever met someone who thinks they can handle anything "poisonous" without fear of harm?

They do so because they think they are strong enough to play with "snakes."

I wonder what percentage of snake handlers die?

They do it because, on the basis of Mark 16, they believe it it is a biblical command to handle snakes. Mar 16:18 They do believe God will protect them. Luk 10:19 They believe that if a person is "right" with God and has enough faith God gives them "power" to handle serpents, heal the sick, and cast out devils.

I have known alot of people who have handled snakes. I talked to a brother the other day who has handled snakes, I've been to services where snakes were being handled, though I have never handled them myself (and have no plans to do so). The book "Salvation on Sand Mountain" chronicles the lives of several snake handlers, several of which I knew personally. Many have died from being bitten. I don't know the percentages, but many have died. There is a "serpent handling" church not far from where I live.

Brother Price · #23 06-03-2008, 06:04 AM

Let me clarify something. The Bible says the believer shall. It does not say will, but shall. This implies an empowering to do so. Yes, I believe that a sign that follows a believer can be tongues, but that is not the only sign which can follow a believer. The power over the demons to cast them out is another sign.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. {1Corinthians 12:27-31}

Baron1710 · #24 06-03-2008, 06:26 AM

Not sure about all states but Tennessee has passed a law making it class C misdemeanor fo snake handling...

§39-17-101. Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited
a) It is an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a poisonous or
dangerous snake or reptile in such manner as to endanger the life or health of any
person.
b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

bethola · #25 06-03-2008, 08:12 AM

Yes, I did know a lady who previous to moving to the big city of Madisonville KY practiced snake handling. She and her husband lived in Eastern KY.

She thought I was too "happy" to be a Holy Ghost Filled Christian. OOPS! SORRY! I have another confession. I happen to LIKE pictures of Jesus laughing.

Beth

El Predicador · #26 06-03-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I didn't deny it says "they shall take up serpents"...it does NOT say "they shall take up serpents accidentally"..

.

Thank you for proving my point with scripture sir(?)

The verse says believers shall take up serpents, heal sick, cast out demons, and speak in tongues.

As you pointed out none of this was accidentally.

Did you accidentally speak in tongues? (Assuming you have)

Can you accidentally cast out a demon?

These verses lists things a believer does not what happens to them.

Baron1710 · #27 06-03-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Predicador

Thank you for proving my point with scripture sir(?)

The verse says believers shall take up serpents, heal sick, cast out demons, and speak in tongues.

As you pointed out none of this was accidentally.

Did you accidentally speak in tongues? (Assuming you have)

Can you accidentally cast out a demon?

These verses lists things a believer does not what happens to them.

Do all believers cast out demons? Should believers go out roaming the streets for demons to cast out? Do you go out looking for the sick to prove your salvation? The verse says "if they drink" not "when they drink."

These signs shall follow them that believe. This seems to me to be normative of the group and not the individual. If we assume tongues being spoken of is initial evidence it can seem odd, but there is nothing precluding these tongues from being the gift of tongues which some believers have and some do not. I think the point is that it is normative for those that follow Christ collectively to experience these things.

chosenbyone · #28 06-03-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

I have tried and tried to talk Elder Epley into taking me to visit a snake handling church here in TN or in neighboring KY.

He grew up in Kentucky and I know he knows where some are.

My only stipulation is I have to sit near the door or where they want a new door in case one of those snakes gets too close to me.

I could just see you in one of those churches, CC1!

From what I saw in this video clip, those churches were rather small and no matter where you sat, you were right up where the action was...

There would be no way that I could ever attend one of those churches. The thought alone makes my NERVOUS!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wpVffsJ0OhA

El Predicador · #29 06-03-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Do all believers cast out demons? Should believers go out roaming the streets for demons to cast out? Do you go out looking for the sick to prove your salvation? The verse says "if they drink" not "when they drink."

These signs shall follow them that believe. This seems to me to be normative of the group and not the individual. If we assume tongues being spoken of is initial evidence it can seem odd, but there is nothing precluding these tongues from being the gift of tongues which some believers have and some do not. I think the point is that it is normative for those that follow Christ collectively to experience these things.

Very sorry you are missing the point.

No one said every believer did everything.

Read the posts, it was in response to a post saying the passage is about accidentally handling a snake. That is not what the verse is saying

Baron1710 · #30 06-03-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

It is literal. But that is a far cry from intentionally picking up snakes as part of a religious ceremony. A biblical example was Paul being bitten accidently

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Predicador

Sorry but the verse says "they shall take up serpents."

Not everything will be ok if you are bitten accidentally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I didn't deny it says "they shall take up serpents"...it does NOT say "they shall take up serpents accidentally"..

Again we have a biblical example. No where do we have a biblical example of churches meeting with a box of snakes and intentionally playing with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Predicador

Very sorry you are missing the point.

No one said every believer did everything.

Read the posts, it was in response to a post saying the passage is about accidentally handling a snake. That is not what the verse is saying

I did read the posts, which is why I didn't restate what had already been written. We have an example of this with Paul, and the implication that is drawn from that is not that you go out looking for serpents, demons, poison, or sick people, but when the followers of Christ come into contact with these things this is the result.