Did Jesus Teach the Practice of Snake Handling?

In some charismatic churches, snake handling is performed as an act of worship/faith. But is this practice scriptural? An examination of the context of the Scriptures reveals that it is not. But the biblical case against snake handling has nothing to do with the the physically dangerous nature of the practice. There may be a time when one must choose between their loyalty to Christ and their mortal life in this world. And it is never right to be disloyal to Christ. So the time may come when physically dying for Christ is the right thing for one to do. And that is nothing that love wouldn't do. 

The biblical case against the practice of snake handling is simply that it is not something that Christ has commanded us to do. Nor is it really an act of trusting God, as we will see. Those who practice snake handling, in their churches, base the act on a couple of passages which they have taken out of context and misconstrued. One of these passages is in Luke 10. The text records how Jesus sent out seventy of His followers to preach and to perform miracles all over Israel in His name. When the seventy returned to Jesus, they reported excitedly about how they were even able to cast demons out of their hosts in the name of Jesus. "And He said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven'" (Luke 10:17-20).

Given the context, it seems clear to me that Jesus is speaking figuratively. He is actually talking about spiritual warfare, not about playing with physical snakes and scorpions. Another passage to which snake handlers point is in Mark 16. The text recounts Jesus' final words before He ascended into heaven in the viewing of His disciples. "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover'" (Mark 16:15-18).

Now, some people doubt that verses 9-20 of Mark 16 should be included in the canon of Scripture, since that portion seems to have been added to Mark's gospel at a later time. I accept the passage as God-breathed, since it does not contradict the rest of Scriptures. However, context is the BOSS of interpretation. And that means not only the immediate context of Mark's gospel, but the extended context of all Scripture.

So let us examine the extended context of the Scriptures. In Acts 28:1-6, Luke reports that Paul the apostle and his companions were shipwrecked on the island of Malta. And while Paul was throwing more wood on the fire, a viper came and fastened onto his arm. At first, the natives of the island thought that Paul was a goner for sure. But he shook the viper off of himself and suffered no ill effect. Now take notice that Paul was not playing with the viper. He was simply putting wood on the fire. And I do not think that Jesus was saying that His followers should play with snakes. He was simply saying that there would be instances in which His followers would be miraculously protected from harm. But Christ's words, here, do not constitute a promise that it will always work that way. For He also said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Finally, consider the temptations of Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan quoted the Psalms where it is promised, 

"For He will command His angels concerning you,

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone"

(Psalm 91:11-12).

With this Bible verse, Satan urged Jesus to prove Himself by jumping off a cliff. But Jesus resisted the devil with another Bible verse - "Do not put the LORD your God to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16). There is a difference between trusting God, and testing God. I would suggest that those who practice snake handling as an act of "faith" are actually not trusting God, but are really giving into the same temptation that Satan presented to Christ - the temptation to put God to the test. They should follow the example of our Lord and resist the devil.

The Cemetery Sermon - A Short Story

The venerable minister stood pale and fragile before gathering that had come to pay their respects to their departed friend and loved one. Near a tall, stately evergreen in the center of the cemetery, the physical form of Dr. Solomon Wreath lay in the bronze casket, which had a faint shimmer to it on that cold, wet, overcast October day. But  Rev. Daniels, alone, out of all the living who were there, was able to see and hear all who were gathered in that place. For many evil spirits stood in the back of the congregation, angrily cursing the minister, and God.

But stretching his eyes past that wicked crowd, Daniels could see another assembly at the outskirt of the cemetery. There, shining with a light so vibrant that it was life itself, stood the smiling, risen Lord with a holy band of angels. They played warmly and with great skill on flutes and stringed instruments. And it was this auspicious sight that gave strength to the old minister as he stood to speak over the din of hell, which was audible only to him.

The minister's sermon began with Psalm 88:3, "For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave". Having read the verse, Pastor Danielson spoke saying "Though you stand in this graveyard today, none of you here draw near to the grave as our dear friend, Solomon, did in his final hours. 

I sat and prayed with him as sickness and death crept over his face like a dark cloud. And yet, there was also a peace about him which transcends understanding. We talked, and sang a hymn together. And then, looking past me, he smiled and said in that weak yet stirring voice 'It is not the grave that I am approaching. I draw near to the Lord!' And with those words he departed".

The congregation listened intently to Daniels as he continued. "So now here is another thought. Do we live as our friend died? Are we who survive him also drawing near to the Lord who died for us, and conquered death and the grave? Are we drawing near to Him truly; not merely in the flesh, attending church, and going through the motions, but in spirit - in the Spirit? Is His life overtaking ours as the apostle said 'I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.'"? (Galatians 2:20).

For half an hour or so the minister went on; giving examples from the life of his departed friend - examples of Christ living through him.    

A devoted husband and father, he had raised three daughters and two sons. He and his wife had also grieved terribly when another son had died at birth.     

As a surgeon, he had served in field hospitals during the American Civil War. He had seen a lot of suffering and death. But he had also seen some healing, and a few lives saved. Once, in the course of his career, he had even witnessed a miracle when a dead woman was prayed over, and she was raised to life again!

He was also an avid musician. And whether he was playing the mandolin, or the fiddle, or the piano; he could always move a listening audience to dancing, or to tears. And he loved to praise the heavenly Father with song. 

After recalling these things, Rev. Daniels spoke of the resurrection that is to come. He read from the Scriptures where Jesus said "...the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live... Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:24-30).

"Let us, then, trust in Him and follow Him." said Daniels, as he concluded his sermon. And after he spoke these words, he noticed that his physical body had just slumped down, and he remained standing. And he looked down in shock at his own form. He looked up and saw the astonished faces of the congregation. Those nearest him ran up and knelt down beside the minister's body, apparently unaware of his presence standing over it. And he saw the hellish crowd in the back, still sneering and cursing vehemently. 

He felt different too. He felt perhaps fifty years younger; like one in the prime of life, and even better. And his spirit was filled with inexpressible gladness and peace. The heavy chains of sin and mortality that are in Adam, were loosed and gone with his mortal body. 

And then he stepped forward and walked past the congregation, past the crowd of devils, past all the sullen gravestones; to the place where the Lord and His angels were gathered. And he found that his friend, Dr. Solomon Wreath, was with them. And he, too, appeared a new man altogether. 

Looking around, Daniels saw that the cemetery was gone. The whole scene was completely changed. He was no longer upon the earth, but stood in wonder of the beauty and majesty of heaven. He saw the vibrant light of God, illuminating a glorious landscape of brilliant colors; colors unknown to the people of the earth! He saw the river of life, and the tree of life. He saw the Temple of God. And he heard beautiful, flowing music; and angelic voices singing:

 "Holy, holy, holy is He who sits on the throne,

And the Lamb who was slain and lives again!"

And so Daniels was greeted warmly into eternal life.

The End