05/10/2026

 

Samuel Clifford

 

Today’s Cessationism article is on one of the Charismatic's favorite verses to being up. Jesus makes this statement in Mark 16:17-18:

 

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

There are five things Jesus states believers in Christ will be able to do:

 

1. Cast out devils

2. Speak with new Tongues

3. Pick up Serpents

4. Drink anything deadly (poison) and be fine

5. Heal the sick

 

Yet, you certainly don’t see any Charismatics drinking any poison or picking up Snakes at all.

 

So then what are the purpose of these gifts?

 

According to Mark 16:20, the purpose of these gifts were to confirm the word of the believers:

 

“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS following. Amen.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬ (emphasis mine)

 

So, the gifts written in Mark 16:17-18 are confirmatory gifts, but for who?

 

It is clear from the context (v.11-14) that Jesus is speaking to the apostles. It makes sense that Jesus is talking to the apostles since all of these signs (except for the drinking of poison) can be verified as happening during the apostolic era but not thereafter. With this context in view we should understand the “them” in Mark 16:17-18 to be the apostles. Jesus is stating, in view of the immediate context and audience, that as long as the apostles believed then their ministries would be accompanied by these confirmatory gifts.

 

It is incorrect to claim that these gifts should be the norm for all believers as charismatics do.

 

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”