Chapter 11- Continued: 

Do You Believe
The Bible?

CODEX WASHINGTONENSIS

The trouble is, these scholars are not aware of another ancient Codex^2d (or manuscript) that completely blows away all of their skepticism and speculation.^2f Allow me to introduce you to the great manuscript discovery I alluded to earlier—Codex Washingtonensis, or Codex W for short. ^2b But first let me explain to you (if you are a non-scholar) why this discovery is so tremendously important to everything you and I believe.

The Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrate the possibility of an original New Testament scroll surviving from the first century. At a minimum, the Dead Sea Scrolls date from before 70 A.D. to about 200 B.C.  Historians generally agree that the scrolls were abandoned in 70 A.D. when the Romans killed or captured the Essene scribes who hid the scrolls, as well as the Pharisees and Sadducees in the battle for Jerusalem. Since Codex W was buried in the sand in a wood box in Egypt around 90 A.D., it had a better chance to survive in good condition than the Dead Sea Scrolls did.

CODEX W IS AN ORIGINAL!  In fact, it is the ONLY original First Century Gospel Manuscripts ever found, and therefore the greatest gospel manuscript discovery ever made. All other translations are taken from copies of other copies of originals.

This Codex is a bound collection of four separate manuscripts that were written (in whole or in part) in the actual handwriting of the four Gospel authors. We can see the signatures and seals of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John written both in Greek and Aramaic! Just seeing their signatures is an awesome experience!^2e

This Codex is just loaded with marvelously informative Aramaic notes and dates. For that reason this discovery just begs for Dead Sea scroll scholars to study these enlightening Aramaic notes.

In short, this is an incredible find that authenticates what these four holy men set forth for us to read and believe.

As of this writing I am one of the few non-scholars aware of these facts, and I have a passion to share this good news with you.

A SHORT HISTORY LESSON ABOUT CODEX W

After this incredible manuscript of the four Gospels was discovered, several prominent Greek scholars studied it. But it wasn't until 1981^2a that a scholar who had the right combination of credentials read this manuscript and made discoveries the other Scholars overlooked. This scholar is Dr. Lee W. Woodard who has a background of forty plus years in Biblical, Paleographical, Historical, and linguistic studies. He recorded his research findings in a fascinating 184-page book containing many facsimiles of pages from this ancient codex.²

This Codex was found in 1906, during an excavation of some sandy ruins in Medinet Dimay, a walled and fortified city in Egypt.^2c Codex W was bound^2h with a wood cover, then sealed in a case and buried in the sand under a church. It is not known when Codex W was buried, but probably sometime in the second century during one of the several periods of persecutions by the Roman government.

If you want to know more about this incredible find you will want to read my extensive and informative endnotes.²

MARK WROTE ALL THE ENDINGS

Now for the big surprise we have been working up to!

Mark himself wrote those endings to his gospel over a period of three years, between 69 A.D. and 72 A.D.  His official seal and the date are by each ending, and he signed his name at the bottom for all to see. Therefore, these endings are as valid, as inspired, and canonical as the rest of the gospel of Mark.^2g

R. C. H. Lenski's commentary on Mark contains a lengthy discussion dealing with the theories made by the commentators above. Briefly, his answers to the above theories are in order:

•  Mark wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. He quit when the anointing lifted. The Bible says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

•  Tradition says that Mark lived a number of years beyond the writing of his Gospel. If the last page was lost shortly after he wrote it, he could have supplied it again.

•  This makes God (who knows all things, and therefore knew when Mark would die) so inept that he didn't start anointing Mark early enough to that he would have time to finish the work before he died. ^¡

If I could enter a fourth answer to Lenski’s three, it would emphasize that the disputed passage is a purported quote from Jesus Himself. It is absolutely outlandish to suggest that any scribe would be so audacious and presumptuous as to put words in His mouth. Now we have a quote from Jesus Himself that confirms Paul and Luke’s account of these spiritual gifts as they described them in Acts and in 1 Corinthians.  

The King James Version translates Mark 16:14-20 correctly (as seen in Codex W), but I will use "Throckmorton’s Synopsis of the Four Gospels" in order to show the longer ending unique to Codex W.

14.  Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

15.  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

16.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17.  And these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them;

18.  they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19.  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God,

20.  And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Here is Mark’s longer ending that extends from verse 20 in Codex W, as seen in Throckmorton’s translation.

21.  And they replied saying, "This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who by means of unclean spirits does not allow men to comprehend the true power of God; therefore reveal now thy righteousness." Thus they spoke to Christ; and Christ answered them: "The limit of the years of the authority of Satan is fulfilled; but other afflictions draw near, even for those sinners on whose behalf I was delivered up to death, in order that they might return to the truth and sin no more; that they might inherit the spiritual and incorruptible glory of righteousness which is in heaven."

Mark must have felt led to include this ending in 72 A.D. after seeing the extreme wickedness manifested in the horrible siege of Jerusalem and destruction of the Great Temple, etc., in 70 A.D. He felt that what he was including (as to the expansion of Jesus’ words) was fully in accord with the earlier revelation from Jesus, following the Resurrection.

It should be pointed out that the contents of Codex W are essentially the same as the good copies mentioned above. What makes this discovery different and exciting is the fact that:

•   Codex W is the only known first century original, and

•   Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did indeed write the gospel attributed to them, and

•   Mark did indeed write all those endings himself, therefore

•   Codex W is the most reliable of all gospel manuscripts.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?

Now that we know Mark actually wrote all the endings to his gospel, we can dismiss the opinion of all those well-meaning scholars who said someone else wrote them. And for that reason we will now have to take this passage seriously. Let's read it again.

And these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Mark 16:17-18

This is no, “Bow your head and repeat after me” prayer. The early apostles proclaimed God's word “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” that the faith of those who listened would "not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God" (1 Cor 2:4,5).  Notice how much that passage sounds like this undisputed quote from Jesus.

And as you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give.

Matthew 10:7-8

Dear friend, how many of these gifts have ever followed you?

I don’t think he meant that ALL of these signs would follow EVERY believer. Most probably he meant that one or more of these signs (at the absolute minimum) would accompany a believer at least once in their lifetime.

For instance, a viper bit Paul while he was gathering firewood. He didn’t deliberately handle the viper and tempt God, as is the practice of some. And, according to legend, John the Revelator’s persecutors forced him to take a cup of poison. He didn’t deliberately drink anything deadly, but he was not harmed by it.

People tend to get hung up on these more exceptional “signs” and as a result, overlook the “signs” that we see following hundreds of believers in the book of Acts and in 1 Corinthians 12.

These “signs” follow true believers because the Holy Spirit indwells them. So, these Spiritual “signs” or “gifts” are a virtue of the Holy Spirit to use at His digression. Since the Holy Spirit indwells us, He can manifest His gifts through us as He wills.  We have no control over the Holy Spirit or His “signs” or “gifts”, but we must allow, and not resist the Holy Spirit to work through us.

Verses 17 & 18 are really saying that God is well able to protect us from all harm and danger. The mission field can often be a perilous place. Come to think of it, EVERY PLACE is a perilous place now days. Missionaries—all Christians—have to believe that God will provide the means and the protection that must go with our calling, or the strength to die a martyr’s death that glorifies Him. We see examples of both in the Bible.

In a minute we will look at another scriptural way to understand this passage.

The point is: God really did deliver Paul and John with these rare and exceptional "sign" gifts. And Jesus Himself spoke these words—these are red-letter words—so therefore they are a commandment and prophecy to us.

Some will argue that Jesus was speaking only to the eleven apostles in this passage. But verses 15 and 16 make it clear that Jesus was talking to "he who has believed and has been baptized" as a result of the evangelization of the eleven.

Since water baptism does not save, Jesus was undoubtedly talking about baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you have believed and were baptized, that verse includes you. Have any of these signs accompanied you since you have believed?

A final thought:  Even without Codex W there is more than enough evidence presented here to prove that verses 17 through 20 were, and are, valid. Which brings us back to our nagging question…

Do you believe the Bible?

PARTIAL AND INCOMPLETE

Again, here is a simple spiritual law that should be self-evident to be truth. If anything is good, perfect, and glorifies God—then God did it!

Such non-apostles as Stephen, Philip, and Ananias, and such congregations as the ones in Galatia, Corinth, Philippi, and Jewish Christian congregations; all experienced and practiced the ministry of the Kingdom. Their Kingdom message included more than the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins. They also proclaimed and practiced the healing of sickness and the driving out of demons. Many passages in the Bible tell us about ordinary Christians who cast out demons, spoke in new tongues, and laid hands on the sick.

We, like the disciples, stumble if we do not do likewise, even if we misuse and abuse and prove ourselves to be the imperfect, stumbling, bumbling saints that we are. Jesus brought His Kingdom into the messiness of the world, knowing that his Holy Word would be misused and abused, as would the precious gifts of His Spirit.

But, back to the question: Do you believe the Bible?

Let’s put it to the test. We will examine (or re-examine) three subjects that some modern Christians have attached a faith-shattering stigma to. As you read about these subjects, ask yourself, "Is this in the Bible?" And, "Do I believe the Bible concerning these stigmas?"

THE SNAKE STIGMA

Now let’s read this part of verses 17 and 18 again:

These signs will follow those who believe. . . they will take up serpents . . .

 Mark 16 (NKJV)

This passage, "They shall take up serpents," has caused two controversies. At the suggestion of handling snakes, some (who say they believe in the infallibility of the Bible) have rejected the passage altogether. Another doctrinal group takes this passage as a literal commandment to handle rattle snakes in church. As a result, some have suffered snakebites and died. Needless to say, neither position is valid.

While the scholars (who don’t know about Codex W yet) argue whether verses 17 and 18 were penned by Mark and whether they were inspired or not, we can go to other Bible verses (as the Nelson commentary points out) to confirm the same message.

Now, before making a careful study of verse 18, let’s read it one more time. It says, "They will take up serpents . . .” The Greek verb, airo, "take up," means, "to seize, bear away, cast out," in the sense of removing violently. Keep in mind that Paul did not pick up that snake on Patmos Island. The snake attached itself to Paul and he violently cast it off into the campfire (see Acts 28:1-6).

John the Baptist used the same word, ario, in introducing Jesus. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus never touches sin; He casts out . . . He takes away sin . . . violently.

The verse that says, "They will take up serpents," is a parallel to "I give you authority to trample on serpents . . ." (Luke 10:19). Jesus spoke these two parables to teach Christians how to "trample" and "snatch away" demonic power using the authority of Jesus’ name (see Mark 9:38).

Is this a solidly scriptural teaching? 

Do you believe the Bible?

THE TONGUES STIGMA

The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 marked the glorious beginning of the Church (see Matt. 16:18). Then, in Acts 10 and 11, we see another major event that is sometimes called "the Gentile Pentecost."

In both events we see a group of people gathered together to hear from God. And in both events, the Holy Spirit fell upon all that were present, and they spoke in tongues.

44.  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

45.  And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.

46.  For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.

Acts 10

In Acts 2, the Jews ran out into the street and in Acts 10, the Gentiles stayed in the room. In Acts 2:11, the crowd on the street heard in their own language what the 120 from the Upper Room spoke, so in both Acts 2 and 10 we are not told what language they spoke.

Now, let me show you in Acts 19:2 where Paul asked some disciples in Corinth, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” If the gift of the Spirit and tongues are given at the time of believing, why did Paul ask them a stupid question? 

However, that aside, “when Paul had laid his hands upon them the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying” (Acts 19:6). Again, we don’t know what languages they spoke, and we do not know what they prophesied. Furthermore, there is no mention of interpretation of tongues.

Those who argue that tongues are for the exclusive purpose of evangelizing run into a real problem. Here is why Acts 2 makes a weak argument for them. Acts 2:11 says; “we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” Speaking of “the mighty deeds of God” is witnessing, and not necessarily evangelizing. It was Peter who evangelized when he began to preach his famous message recorded in Acts 2:14-36. In all the other instances recorded in Acts, everyone present was already saved, and no one preached after tongues were spoken, and no one heard of the mighty deeds of God in tongues. Tongues are for a sign.

Here is another problem. Paul said (in 1 Cor. 13:1): “ . . . I speak with the tongues of men and of angels . . . “ 

What is angel language? If Paul had only said he spoke in the language of angels, we could point out that the word “angels” could (and often did) mean “men.” But since he mentioned both men and angels in the same sentence, it would be ridiculous to conclude that Paul actually said, “I speak in the language of men and men.” 

If tongues are for evangelism only, then does that mean we are to evangelize angels?

14.  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15.  What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also.

1 Corinthians 14

If you will read 1 Corinthians 14:14-21, it will be clear to you that praying and singing in tongues helps us give praise to God and to allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for us, because in some difficult situations we don’t know how to pray (Rom. 8:26,27).

The point is: 1 Corinthians 14 makes it clear that the use of tongues is not always for the purpose of evangelizing!

Those who make this "evangelism" argument are trying their very best to discourage the use of tongues. They pay lip service to tongues because they can't deny that tongues are Scriptural. They assure us that there is a proper place for tongues, but they never seem to find that place. And if they did, many churches would ask them to leave. It is an enigma . . . a stigma.

Surely it is time to admit that tongues are valid for today, and rather than deny or ignore tongues any longer, we must now hear God's call to incorporate this Spiritual gift into our churches. I am sure that incorporating tongues into the traditions and style of worship of all the different doctrinal groups will result in a lot of diversity, but that is only to be expected.

THE ISAIAH 28:11-12 SIGN

There is another peculiar objection to tongues. The proof text this argument uses is found in 1 Corinthians 14:21 where Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11-12 (which is very similar to a passage in Deut. 28 and Jer. 25).

In the law it is written, “By MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:21

The Ryrie commentary on this verse says: “Tongues were given as a sign to provoke the Jews to consider the truth of the Christian message.” That is an excellent explanation, but not all explanations are so valid.

For instance, there is the teaching that tongues were for a sign, or prophecy, to Jews only; and that tongues ceased to exist in 70 AD when this Isaiah 28:11-12 prophecy was fulfilled and Judea ceased to be a nation. Since Mark dated his last entry in the year 72 A.D., that really discredits the 70 A.D. theory. Besides, it should be pointed out that in Acts 10 it was Gentile Romans who spoke in tongues, not Jews. And if Peter understood a word of those tongues, the Bible never mentions that.

At any rate, this teaching goes far beyond the context of what Paul was saying about tongues being a sign gift. And to this day most Jews still are not listening to what God is telling them about their Messiah.

Before we get too harsh with these dear brethren we need to ask ourselves, “Do I believe the Bible?” As John Maxwell points out, we Christians are just sure we do, and are shocked to discover that there are some Bible verses we wish were NOT in there. What verses do you and I stumble over?

Since it is a fact that these verses are often left out of the discussion on tongues, one has to ask, “Why?”

THE EXORCISM STIGMA

And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give.

Matthew 10:7,8

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

James 2:18

When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name! Jesus told them . . . I have given you power to. . . defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you.

Luke 10:17, 19 (The Promise)

13.  Some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 

14.  And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15.  And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 

16.  And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

 Acts 19

Notice that the evil spirit manifested itself and spoke to these seven foolish brothers (Acts 19). And notice that the seventy-two cast out demons in Jesus name (Luke 10).

What difference was there between the seven and the seventy-two? The seventy-two—as believers—had the authority to invoke the power in Jesus’ name to defeat the power of Satan and cast out demons without suffering harm. The seven got beat up for using Jesus’ name as sort of a magical charm. Exorcism is dangerous unless the exorcist is anointed by the Holy Spirit and is genuinely dealing with real demonic powers.

Although exorcism is solidly scriptural, few practice it today because we are too sophisticated to believe in the boogieman anymore. Besides, we prefer psychology to exorcism. Yet, there is no Scripture that in any way hints the demonic world became silent and harmless.

DEMONIC CESSATIONISM

Forgive me for asking a dumb question, but did the demons leave planet earth (close shop, or diminish their activity) when the last apostle died? Of course not! Here is what Paul said about the spiritual forces of wickedness and how we can stand firm against them:

Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly.

 Ephesians 6:11,12

We all have heard numerous sermons and Sunday school lessons on what it means to “put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

In the Spirit world, nothing has changed since before the Garden of Eden; but there will be a big change when Jesus comes again. Yet, some cessationists believe that the demons —as well as God—do not manifest themselves (i.e., speak or intervene) in the affairs of sophisticated, modern man. In short, some Christians do not believe in the supernatural. Yet, whatever the Spirit world was in the Garden of Eden, it still is. And whatever Satan’s b.c. agenda was, it still is in the a.d. And since demons are still in our midst, we still need power to overcome them.

It seems to me that we would not have authority to defeat the power of demons in Jesus’ name today, and we would not need the full armor of God —IF—the cessationist view were valid. But the demons are still with us, are they not? Therefore, we still need an offensive weapon against them.

Or, are we now at their mercy? 

God forbid! 

THE RESTORATION MESSAGE

Jesus Christ has not changed. God has not replaced Christ's gospel of the kingdom of heaven with impotent religion; both Christ and the Holy Spirit are with us, “even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). We should expect ever-increasing power to companion the church, and the gospel of heaven to be proclaimed with miracles worldwide, “and then the end shall come” (Matt 24:14).

The last days message shall be manifested in Christ's followers with all the power and authority that was embodied in Jesus Himself (John 14; Eph 4). No longer will Christians be identified merely as people going to heaven, but as people actually coming from heaven with the power and character of heaven, to herald the king of heaven and His return to earth.

Dear brethren, the first century text is still the last century text (Heb. 1:1,2). Nothing has been added to, or taken away (Rev. 22:18,19). Let us walk in this divine truth. And may we truly believe the Bible. S

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