HOLY BIBLE 101 - BELIEVERS and the SIGNS that FOLLOW them

Jesus had been crucified and buried. The scripture (Mark 16) tells us that when the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) had passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary James’ mother and Salome went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body (v.1). It was the rising of the sun on Sunday morning, the first day of the week (v.2).

As they approached the tomb they were wondering who would roll away the very large stone from the door (v.3) but when they looked, it was already rolled away (v.4). They entered the tomb where they saw a young man. He told them that Jesus was risen (v.5-6). He also told them to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus was raised and that He would see them in Galilee as He had told them (v.7). They ran away quickly because they were trembling, fearful and astonished but they told no one what they had seen (v.8).

After that, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene (v.9) and she went to tell the disciples that Jesus was raised from the dead (v.10). They were crying when she got there but did not believe her testimony that Jesus had risen (v.11). Two of the disciples were walking on the road into the country when Jesus appeared unto them as well. They returned and told the others who still did not believe their testimony (v.12-13).

Jesus then appeared unto the eleven as they were sitting to eat and He reprimanded them for not believing the others who had seen Him after he had risen (v.14). He then told them to go into the entire world and preach the gospel (v.15). Jesus told them that anyone who believes their message about Him and was baptized would be saved but that those who did not believe would be condemned (v.16). Now look at what Jesus said after that:

“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.” (v.17-18)

Jesus told them that there were certain signs, which would follow them that believe.

The word ‘believe’ is translated from the Greek word PISTEUO, pronounced pē-styü'-ō (Strong’s G4100). It refers to someone’s trust in Jesus or God as being able to support them either in obtaining or in doing something. Most importantly it is the exercise of faith that saves someone. The scripture did not limit which believer would have the signs. It says: “them that believe!” This tells me that anyone who believes will have these signs following them.

The word ‘signs’ is translated from the Greek word SEMEION, pronounced sā-mā'-on (Strong’s G4592). It refers to that thing which distinguishes a person from others and makes that person known. In this instance it is a token that God uses to let us know that the person sent by Him is authentic.

The word ‘follow’ is translated from the Greek word PARAKOLOUTHEO, pronounced pä-rä-ko-lü-the'-ō (Strong’s G3877). It literally means to follow closely or faithfully, and to always be there, to always be present or to attend to something or someone. So these authenticators shall always be present with believers and believers shall do the following:

1. Shall cast out devils. This term ‘cast out’ is translated from the Greek word EKBALLO, pronounced ek-bä'l-lō (Strong’s G1544), and means to drive out, send out or cast out, and to do so with or without violence. The word ‘devils’ is translated from the Greek word DAIMONION, pronounced dī-mo'-nē-on (Strong’s G1140). It refers to evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil.

2. Shall speak with new tongues. The word ‘speak’ is translated from the Greek word LALEO, pronounced lä-le'-ō (Strong’s G2980). It means to utter a voice or emit an articulate sound, preach, and tell. The word ‘new’ is translated from the Greek word KAINOS, pronounced kī-no's (Strong’s G2537). It refers to something new in form and substance or new in the sense that the newness of the thing is far better than what it was before, or newer than that which exists already. It also means fresh. The word ‘tongues’ is translated from the Greek word GLOSSA, pronounced glō's-sä (Strong’s G1100). It refers to the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations.

3. Shall not be hurt by serpents or deadly drink. The word ‘not’ is translated from the Greek word OUME, pronounced ü mā' (Strong’s G3364), meaning never, certainly not, not at all, and by no means. The word ‘hurt’ is translated from the Greek word BLAPTO, pronounced blä'p-tō (Strong’s G984), meaning to hurt, harm, injure. The word ‘deadly’ is translated from the Greek word THANASIMOS, pronounced thä-nä'-sē-mos (Strong’s G2286). This is the only place in scripture this Greek word is used. It refers to something that can kill and is talking about a drink that can kill a person.

4. Shall lay hands on the sick and the sick shall recover. The word ‘lay’ is translated from the Greek word EPITITHEMI, pronounced e-pē-tē'-thā-mē (Strong’s G2007). It means to put or lay upon. The word ‘hands’ is translated from the Greek word CHEIR, pronounced khā'r (Strong’s G5495). It refers literally to the hand that operates under the help, agency, might, activity and power of God.

The word ‘shall’ is translated from the Greek word MELLO, pronounced me'l-lō (Strong’s G3195). It denotes something one will do by fixed necessity or by divine appointment.

Firstly, the usage of the word ‘shall’ in this scripture does not signify a command but indicates the substantiation or evidence of being something, performing something or possessing something. It is an adverb as used in: “they shall recover” in v.18; or, as in: “For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” Matthew 16:27. Secondly, all four ‘shall’ words above are equally important signatories of the believer.

These scriptures say many things. We are believers who have signs that shall follow us. Evil spirits exist and we shall cast them out. By the Holy Spirit we shall speak the language of another nation even though we don’t know that language. We shall not be injured by serpents and if we drink anything that can kill, it shall not kill us. We shall lay hands on sick people and they shall recover because we lay the hands that operate with the power of God.

Believers are powerful but few act with authority and power because they either don’t know these truths or they don’t believe them even though they believe in Christ.

Be one of them that believe and operate in the power of God!