Text: Mark 16:9-20
When Jesus Christ resurrected on the first day of the week, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to two of His followers as they walked from Jerusalem to the country side (v. 12), and to the eleven disciples as they sat at the table (v.14).
Please note that verse 16 does not teach that baptism saves the lost and the condemned one. For condemnation comes out of unbelief (Acts 2:38). We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ and NOT by baptism water. The Bible confirms that you can be saved without baptism as was the case for one of the criminals who died with Him. Jesus accepted him into paradise (Luke. 23:43). Without faith in Christ, water baptism cannot save you here on earth, let alone take you to eternal life in heaven. Baptism is only an outward right of an inner reality.
It is also important to note that some of those signs mentioned in verses 17-
18 were specifically promised to the apostolic community (Matt. 10:1; 2 Cor.
12:12) and not all believers in all ages (1 Cor. 12:29-30). All the mentioned
signs were experienced by some people in the apostolic church as reported in Scriptures (Acts 28:5), except the drinking of poison. Please note that these signs were experienced during the apostolic church and none afterwards (v.20).
The purpose of miracles and signs was to authenticate the message or prove that indeed apostles were God’s messengers (Acts 2:22; 43; 4:30; 5:12; 14:3; Rom.15:18-19; Heb. 2:3-4).
Jesus Christ performed miracles to prove to people that indeed He was the
Messiah (John 2:11): turning water into wine (2:1-11), healing the official’s son (4:46-54), healing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-9), feeding the 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish (6:1-14), raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44). So if one “performs” a miracle, what does he/she want to prove?
For the Bible is complete and final. Today, the miracle you will ever receive is that of getting saved! (John 3.14-15) Our witness should centre on Jesus Christ and not superhero performances.
It is also important to note that speaking in tongues is a gift from God. It is not taught or learned. Speaking in tongues is speaking language of men and not of angels as some people try to confuse others (1 Cor. 13:1).
Meditate on verses 15. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Our Lord and heavenly Father, I pray that You let loose showers of the Holy Spirit to all afresh, upon me and upon all believers; so that we may faithfully spread Your Gospel of salvation to the whole World, that needs You Lord now more than ever before; meeting the spiritual thirst and hunger burden of the world, through true fulfillment of the Great Commission in my generation. In the Precious name of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, I have prayed this. Amen.