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Christians, is Mark 16:16-18 a correct test for salvation?
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Mark 16:16-18 says: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 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."

So, anyone is saved should have the following properties:

  • Will drive out demons
  • Above average language learning ability
  • Will pick up snakes (not necessarily unharmed)
  • Immune to poison
  • Will heal sickness by placing of hands

Now, perhaps in many cases we have no information - it may be the case that, despite having the ability, the believer simply hasn't tried to drink poison, and so remains unaware of their immunity. But the text says that believers will (not just can) drive out demons, pick up snakes, and heal the sick.

It may also be that this passage refers to believers as a group, and the signs will follow the group rather than the individual. So groups of believers should have at least some people who perform healing by laying on hands.

Why is all of this not actually happening in the world today? Are there no actual believers left?

Or, if you think this is happening in the world today, why is it not making the newspapers or being talked about anywhere?

[Required disclosure of my own views: I am an atheist and do not personally believe that "salvation" is an actual thing that exists.]

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