That’s an interesting question.
I’d say that . . .
Given Mark 16:16-18 . . .
That if some of those signs don’t follow a man or woman of God EVER . . . then they are either not in right standing with God or are living far below their inheritance and calling in God . . . and thereby achieving far less for The Kingdom than they might otherwise be accomplishing by His Grace and giftings.
. . . or perhaps God has them in a long dark night of the soul . . .
or . . . a desert experience . . . or some sort of mysterious period of being on a sabbatical or “on the shelf” for whatever reason.
I’d say that . . .
Given Mark 16:16-18 . . .
That if some of those signs don’t follow a man or woman of God EVER . . . then they are either not in right standing with God or are living far below their inheritance and calling in God . . . and thereby achieving far less for The Kingdom than they might otherwise be accomplishing by His Grace and giftings.
. . . or perhaps God has them in a long dark night of the soul . . .
or . . . a desert experience . . . or some sort of mysterious period of being on a sabbatical or “on the shelf” for whatever reason.
OK, let's start with verse 16.
Mark 16:15-18 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever 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; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Starting with verse 16, do you believe you have to be baptized to be saved. It DOES say that. And while most of pentecostal theology likes to quote verse 17 about speaking in tongues and healing, they also tend to ignore verse 18. Isn't that kind of cherry picking what other denominations are criticized for when they do it to support their doctrines?
If we're going to take parts of it literally, then in proper interpretation, the whole PASSAGE needs to be interpreted in a consistent manner.
So where is the charismatic movement on drinking deadly poison and handling snakes? Why don't we see them advocating THAT? Why is it that when you think that some of those signs should follow, why is it that people always mean tongues and healings?
Or is it only the safe signs and wonders they prefer?
You want demonstrations of faith? Does it take more faith to lay hands on someone and pray for them or drink deadly poison and believe it won't harm you?
Where are all the people lining up to do THAT?
Matthew 25:31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
So, who's doing more for the kingdom? The person with signs and wonders? Or the people who do like Jesus did who went about doing good, who minister to people to help meet their needs and maybe entertain angels unawares?