These miraculous signs were not done by super saints, God was the one who did the works but he did them through people who were yielded to him and obeyed his Word.
(John Lathrop)
In the last chapter of Mark’s gospel we find a Great Commission passage; a text in which Jesus commands His followers to go out into the world to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-18). One thing that is particularly interesting about this account is the mention of the supernatural signs that will accompany those who obey his command.
These believers will speak in new tongues, drive out demons, and heal the sick. All of these activities are very supernatural in nature. In addition, these believers will be given divine protection on their mission, poison and snakes will not harm them. Jesus speaks with certainty about these things; he uses the word “will” a number of times in verses 15-18. At the time when Jesus said these words He was speaking about things that were yet to happen.
I know that there are some people who do not accept the ending verses of Mark’s gospel as genuine. However, there are a couple of other New Testament texts that say things very similar to the passage in Mark 16. In Acts 14:3 we read these words “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders” (NIV).
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says this “how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testifying to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV).
These verses from Acts and the book of Hebrews were written at different times to different people and yet they affirm the same truth: supernatural ministry accompanied the preaching of the Word of God. But please note that the texts in Acts and Hebrews speak of these things as accomplished facts.
Christians were not looking forward to them happening some time in the future, they happened, and were a matter of history. These miraculous signs were not done by super saints, God was the one who did the works but he did them through people who were yielded to him and obeyed his Word.
Other texts also confirm the truth of what was written in Mark 16.Christians did speak in tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). They also participated in the other supernatural ministries mentioned. The apostles were privileged to do supernatural works prior to Jesus’ ascension when he sent them out (Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7) and they would continue to do them afterwards.
But these works were not limited to the apostles alone. The Seventy Two that Jesus sent out, also prior to his ascension, participated in supernatural works (Luke 10:17). The apostle Paul did them (Acts 14:8-10; 16:16-18; 19:11-12; 28:8), Stephen did them (Acts 6:8), and Philip did them (Acts 8:6-7). Neither Stephen nor Philip were apostles.
These supernatural works were not meant to be limited to the apostles. Jesus said that anyone who believes in him will do the works that he did and ever greater works (John 14:12). He did not place any limitations on this; he did not restrict which believers could do these works nor did he place an expiration date on how long these works could be done.
God’s desire and design is that his Word and the power of his Spirit be evident in the ministries of his people. Let it be our expectation this year that we will trust the Lord more for these things and step out to be used by him in these areas.
John P. Lathrop - United States
John P. Lathrop is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Zion Bible Institute, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME). He is an ordained minister with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and has twenty years of pastoral experience.
