--This whole chapter is presented here because it is the most
popular chapter in the book--
Get
ready for an introduction into what is probably the oldest, most
important (but least known) Bible manuscript discovery within
the last 2,000 years! Then you'll be well on your way to
recognizing the excitement it has generated in me, and
hopefully it will in you, too.
—Download
this entire chapter for free—
When John Maxwell held a seminar at our
church, he peppered his presentation with this little phrase,
“Do you believe the Bible?” He then proceeded to show many of
us that we didn’t believe the Bible nearly as much as we
thought we did.
It took a little time for us to realize
that we were alternately funny and pathetic. We laughed and we
cried, but when we left that service we were changed people .
. . people who hopefully had a stronger belief in the
Bible.
Now, let's see if you believe the Bible
as much as you think you do.
One of the most challenging verses in the
bible is found in Mark 16:17. This verse says: “These
signs will accompany those who believe . . . .” The
trouble is, just about every Bible commentary tells us Mark
did not write that verse in his Gospel. The scholars who write
these commentaries tell us that some unknown person, some
presumptuous person, some unauthorized person, wrote the last
twelve verses that purportedly quote Jesus, including verse
17.
What a powerful statement! Isn’t it just
too bad that Mark didn't actually say, “These signs will
accompany those who believe . . . ,” or did he?
You're in for a BIG surprise . . .
.
First we need to document the
conventional view presented by these scholars before getting
to our surprise. Two of the most ancient Bible manuscripts,
the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, do not contain the
last twelve verses that appear in the King James Version of
Mark's Gospel.2d Here is what the Nelson Study
Bible's footnotes say about those verses in Mark:
The authenticity of these last twelve
verses has been disputed. Those who doubt Mark's authorship of
this passage point to two fourth-century manuscripts that omit
these verses. Others believe that they should be included
because even those two manuscripts leave space for all or some
of these verses, indicating that their copyists knew of their
existence. The difficulty is in knowing whether the space is
for this longer version of Mark's ending or for one of the
alternate endings found in the manuscripts. Practically all
other manuscripts contain vv. 9-20, and this passage is
endorsed by such early church fathers as Justin Martyr (A.D. 155), Turtillian
(A.D. 170), and
Irenaeus (A.D.
180). It does not seem likely that Mark would end his story on
a note of fear (v. 8).
Here is what the Ryrie Study Bible
commentary says about Mark 16:9-20:
These verses do not appear in two of the
most trustworthy manuscripts of the N.T., though they are part
of many other manuscripts and versions. If they are not a part
of the genuine text of Mark, the abrupt ending at verse 8 is
probably because the original closing verses were lost. The
doubtful genuineness of verses 9-20 makes it unwise to build a
doctrine or base an experience on them (especially vv.
16-18).
Yet, the Nelson Study Bible makes this
historically accurate statement about verses 17 and
18.
These signs were evident in the early
church. Casting out demons demonstrated victory over Satan
(Acts 16:18). Speaking with new tongues began at Pentecost
(Acts 2:4-11). Healing the sick occurred in several instances,
including Acts 28:8. Taking up serpents occurred in Paul's
encounter with a poisonous snake, which did not produce ill
effects (Acts 28:1-6). The New Testament does not record
Christians drinking anything deadly without harm.”
Well, this scholarly speculation is about
to end.
To read the rest of this
chapter
To read the End-Notes for this chapter.
If this is a subject that deeply
interests you...order
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