12. The Commission

CHAPTER FIVE

Mark 16:14-20 I. THE COMMISSION This portion of Scripture is claimed by the tongues advocates to support their practice of speaking in so-called tongues. Let us examine the verses. In Mark 16:14, we find Christ, after His Resurrection, ad-dressing the eleven remaining disciples in a reproachful manner for their hesitancy in believing that He had actually risen from the dead.

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hard-ness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." (Mark 16:14) A. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel " (Mark 16:15 b) He then gave them this commission:

"...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15 b

Now, of those that believe the gospel (Mark 16:17), certain "SIGNS" shall follow. Notice carefully, if you will, Christ said "SIGNS", plural; not just one SIGN, singular, of speaking in tongues.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe..." (Mark 16:17 a) In Mark 16:17-18, five signs are given:

1. "In my name they shall cast out devils... (demons)."

2. "They shall speak with new tongues..."

3. "They shall take up serpents...”

4. "If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them..."

5."They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The question naturally arises, Why do those who speak in so-called tongues not exercise the other four signs? With thousands of sick people in all our hospitals, perhaps millions, it would be inhumane and un-christian not to visit these hospitals and lay hands on the sick with Christ’s promise that they "shall" recover. Remember, if the sign of speaking in tongues is for today; then, so are the other four!