Snake Handling is Wrong?

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by pelathais

I'm not wanting to be too much of a pest, but what exactly does "Hebrews 1:15" have to say on this matter?

You're swift, Brother, there is no vs 15. LOL

Sorry, I got called away suddenly on business and didn't finish or proof my post.

[freeatlast]

It seems to me there is as much scripture about snake handling.......

as there is about women not cutting their hair or being forced to never wear slacks.

[Bro-Larry]

The devil quoted Ps 91 to try to persuade Jesus to JUMP off the temple. He told Jesus, "Go ahead and jump because Ps 91 says that the angels will catch you before your feet hit the ground." This would be true for those who accidently fell from a height, but it would not work for anyone who willfully jumped off. They would be acting of their own will, and God will not go against your will.

Heb 1:13-14 tells us that all angels are sent forth to minister for us who shall inherit righteousness. People who willingly jump off some high places, or willfully pick up a poisioneous snake, or willfully drink some deadly thing, need not expect to receive this divine protection of the angels. That is tempting God, Jesus said.

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

It seems to me there is as much scripture about snake handling.......

as there is about women not cutting their hair or being forced to never wear slacks.

You got that right Brother

[tv1a]

Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18.They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
KJV

1. Funny how people discriminately decide which portions of this passage to take literally and which portions doesn't really mean what it says. Snake handlers take the entire passage at face value.

2. People say we shouldn't tempt God. No one has been able to explain what holy law God is being asked to violate.

3. It's okay to prove God to open the windows of Heaven when we pour our finances into His Kingdom.

As Dennis Prager says, "Think again for a second time."

When one doesn't hide behind the chicken suit, one will conclude snake handling is neither right nor wrong.

Snake handlers have more solid proof of their beliefs than those who live by skirt saving salvation. It takes a lot more faith to believe a subjective dress code is salvational than to pick up a snake.

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

Bro. Larry

I watched a CNN expose of a church in Alabama that handled snakes.... CNN was attempting to prove that the (no idea how to spell this ) but the STICKNINE they were drinking was diluted.. but when the test came back it was not diluted at all and their own doctors said "no one can live and drink this undiluted"

While I absolutely disagree with their practice.. I personally feel it is tempting God.. I in no way Mock them or judge for their firmly held religious beliefs.

In my grandmothers day, the old Apostolic women use to pick up HOT COALS from the church furnace and never get burnt.. so who knows Brother

How could these things have been done, if it is not by the power of God?

They can be done by the Law of Dominion. Some people call it The Dominion Principle. This is the power that is inherent in man by virtue of the dominion that God gave mankind in Gen 1:28. Jesus quoted this law in Mark 11:23. Simply stated it says: If you say something with your mouth and believe and not doubt in your heart, then you will get it.

This is a law initiated by God Himself, although it is not, in my opinion, a direct operation of the power of God. It works because man is made in the image of God. Of course, if you don't believe it, then it won't work for you. It's the same principle featured on Oprah and other talk shows recently. The Secret is operated by the spirit of man through the law of dominion.

[tv1a]

1. There are those who are so extreme in our circles who believe if you don't dress like them, you are lost. Do they not add to scripture?

2. God has encouraged people to test him.

3. Your analogy of Jesus being tempted to jump off a building falls short in a few areas. The temptation originated from Satan. Mark 16:15-17 is red lettered which means Jesus said those words. There is nothing in red letters which suggests people should jump off buildings. I don't think snake handling is any more foolish than a person who preaches against television while condoning the internet. You have to give props to the snake handlers, they are consistent with their belief.

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

Yes, snake handling is wrong, because it is tempting God. When the devil tried to get Jesus to JUMP, (and JUMP is the key word,) off the pinnacale of the temple, he was trying to get Jesus to commit suicide. That's exactly what would have happened if Jesus had done it. Jesus was too smart for that. He used the word of God to defeat the devil. "It is written", He said, "Thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God."

Snake handlers try to use Mark 16:18 as the scriptural precept for that practice. "They shall take up serpents.", referring to believers. Some even try to make that a command. They make it a test of your faith. If you don't have the faith to pick up a poisonous serpent, or if you get bitten, then you aren't a true believer. Some groups are so extreme as to say you aren't even saved.

The only Bible example for handling snakes is in Acts 28:3-6, where Paul was gathering sticks to make a fire after they had been shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Paul had inadvertantly, ("inadvertantly" is the key word), picked up a viper, with the sticks.

The Bible is very clear: if you accidently, inadvertantly, or unknowingly, pick up a snake, fall from a height, or drink any deadly thing, then you have the right to expect the protective ministry of the angels to keep you from being harmed. (Heb 1:13-14)

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by tv1a

1. Funny how people discriminately decide which portions of this passage to take literally and which portions doesn't really mean what it says. Snake handlers take the entire passage at face value.

2. People say we shouldn't tempt God. No one has been able to explain what holy law God is being asked to violate.

3. It's okay to prove God to open the windows of Heaven when we pour our finances into His Kingdom.

As Dennis Prager says, "Think again for a second time."

When one doesn't hide behind the chicken suit, one will conclude snake handling is neither right nor wrong.

Snake handlers have more solid proof of their beliefs than those who live by skirt saving salvation. It takes a lot more faith to believe a subjective dress code is salvational than to pick up a snake.

TV1a: If you willfully pick up snakes, sooner or later you are going to get bit. Some get away with it for a while, but they all eventually get bit, and some die.

I was wondering if snake handlers go to the Doctor when they get bit?

[tv1a]

If snake handling cannot be taken literally, than you may as well throw out the rest of the passage. Maybe speaking in new tongues does NOT mean getting the Holy Ghost. Maybe God didn't mean it when he said they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. I'm not a Mensa member and I know that is blatent inconsistency.

Originally Posted by Aquila

These verses aren't speaking of a practice, they are speaking of God's protection. We see this promise in operation when Paul is bitten by a viper and shakes it off into the fire. Though he was bitten...he didn't swell up and die.

[tv1a]

Whether or not a snake handler goes to the doctor is irrelevant. They deserve major props for putting their money where their mouth is. They speak in tongues, they lay hands on sick. They cast out devils, they are baptized. Many snake handlers in my research have been baptized in Jesus Name. Adding a little strichnine and rattlesnake here and there isn't much more of a stretch for them.

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

TV1a: If you willfully pick up snakes, sooner or later you are going to get bit.

I was wondering if snake handlers go to the Doctor when they get bit?