Signs in the preaching of the gospel

Mark 16:15-18
15. And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ;
18. 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 discover.

Jesus lays credence here in giving the great commission, he gave details, a list of things that will be a sign of the great commission. He says this sign shall follow them that believe, the word sign is from the Greek word SEMEION which means an indication. The moment the word sign is used, it must be a sign of something, an indication of something. When Jesus says “these signs”, he means, an indication that he rose from the dead. These signs will follow those who believe in the same.

SEMEION is an indication of something, a sign must have a message it points to.

He says these signs shall follow them that believe. The word follow is from the Greek word PARAKOLOTHEO, which means to attest to something, these signs will attest to the message. The sign is not for them to believe, it is following them because they have believed.

Hebrews 2:3-4;
4. God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the holy ghost, according to his own will?

He says the witness, the witness is an indication, the witness of God is to salvation. An earnest addition, add to your witness.
The signs are following because you have believed, the sign is not the message but an indication of the message. Notice in the entire epistles, nobody made mention of the miracle of Jesus and used it to preach because it is not the message, the message of Christianity is faith in Christ.

Mk. 16:20; And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen

These signs follow us as we preach, he says the Lord working with them. We are never alone in our preaching and teaching of God’s word.
Jesus says those who believe shall cast out demons, shall speak in new tongues, shall heal the sick. The believer shall heal the sick, Jesus went from city to city healing all manners of disease.

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with them.

Observe that Jesus didn’t have any clear explanation on healing, or miracles, but he worked them. It shows that it’s not the message, it is attesting to it, so don’t be all about working miracles without presenting the message. The message is the greatest miracle.

The believer shouldn’t be passive about the power of God. It should be seen in our outreaches. In a power outreach, there are demonstrations of power gifts, and people will marvel. These power gifts are not the message but point to the message.

Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – 1 Timothy 1-6

TEACHING OF THE DAY
What can change?