Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in Him! Psalm 112:1 [Sunrise May 16 2013]

Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in Him! Psalm 112:1 [Sunrise May 16 2013]

Day 46  Signs, Wonders and Miracles

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)

The signs that Jesus says will accompany those who believe is pretty radical stuff.

  • Driving out demons
  • Speaking in new tongues
  • Picking up snakes (Say what? But that’s what it says!)
  • Drink poison with no ill effects
  • Heal the sick by the laying on of hands

Although this may seem fantastic and unbelievable, all these signs are recorded as being fulfilled in the historical record. And I have personally witnessed some of these signs myself.

We worship a supernatural God, afterall, not a religious cultural institution.

The record shows that  “through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.” Acts 5:12

Here’s a breakdown:

  • Driving out demons

    • Acts 16:18, Paul cast out the spirit of divination from the fortune-teller girl
    • “Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.” Acts 8:7 (KJV)
    • “They shall cast out devils”; this power was more common among Christians than any other, and lasted longer, as appears by the testimonies of Justin Martyr, Origen, Irenaeus, Tertullian Minutius Felix, and others, cited by Grotius on this place. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
    • I think I have personally seen this.

  • Speaking in new tongues (or languages)

    • This was remarkably fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4-11. It existed, also, in other places. See 1 Corinthians 12:10. [Barnes Commentary]
    • I know I have personally seen this.

  • Picking up snakes  (Say what? But that’s what it says!)

    • “They shall take up serpents.” This was fulfilled in Paul, who was not hurt by the viper that fastened on his hand, which was acknowledged a great miracle by the barbarous people, Acts 28:5, 6. They shall be kept unhurt by that generation of vipers among whom they live, and by the malice of the old serpent. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
    • I have not personally seen this.

  • Drink poison with no ill effects

    • If they be compelled by their persecutors to drink any deadly poisonous thing, it shall not hurt them: of which very thing some instances are found in ecclesiastical history. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
    • I have not personally seen this.

  • Heal the sick 

    • “… and many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.” “Acts 8:7 (KJV)
    • Peter and John heal the lame man Acts 3:1-8
    • Acts 9:32 Peter raises Dorca from the dead
    • Many of the elders of the church had this power, as appears by Jam. 5:14, where, as an instituted sign of this miraculous healing, they are said to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
    • I know I have personally seen and experienced this more than once, glory to God.

I believe Jesus is the same , yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

How about you?

What He promised yesterday – He still promises today, and these signs will accompany those who believe!

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)

Let’s Pray:

I invite you to pray with me.

Lord,  let faith rise up in all who read your Word. May we be anointed to share the good news to all creation. Jesus saves. Jesus heals. Jesus delivers. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   Amen.

About This Devotional Series

According to the historical church calendar, the Easter season is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  I’ll post a fresh devotional thought with my sunrise photo of that morning, everyday through Pentecost, commenting as the Spirit inspires. Check out the rest of the series here.

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If this series is helpful to you,  please forward and share with your friends through e-mail, Twitter, Facebook – whatever, just click the share buttons on this page.  Join us on the journey from Easter to Pentecost! 

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