Power to Work Miracles.
By H. C. Miller
A CORRESPONDENT writes: “By reading Mark 16: 16, it appears plain enough that in order for a man to be saved he must first believe and be baptized; but in reading verses 17 and 18, it also appears plain [to me] that he must be able to cast out devils, and to be proof against poisons, &c. How is it?” If the writer means that in order to be saved a man must be in such a condition that the Holy Spirit can manifest its power through him when the Holy Ghost shall desire so to do, we answer, Yes, to his question. But if he means that believers must be able to do these things at will, at all times, and under all circumstances, we shall answer, No. The texts do not teach any such view. They simply declare that these signs shall follow them that believe. God has never said that we must be proof against poisons, in order to be saved. The apostle Paul in Eph. 4: 8, refers to this very time when our Lord gave these gifts unto men. And he informs us for what purpose they are given. He says they are given for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. He shows in 1 Cor. 12 that they are divided to every believer as the Spirit wills. And by this word divided, and by his questions in verses 29 and 30, he shows that all the gifts are not possessed and exercised by one person. Are all apostles? Have all the gift of healing? &c. If this be true, then it settles the question of a necessity to be able to do them in order to be saved. If any are tempted to make an effort to cast out devils, or to swallow poisons in order to prove themselves believers, we would suggest that they meet the tempter as the Saviour did in the wilderness. “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”