Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

I had, in fact; NOTICED that the calendar "mentioned" that "today is Pentecost" (which, for me at least; requires a little more research) ... (I actually DO recall the general story of the day, described in "Acts Chp. 2" ) {Reckon I'd better REread THAT for myself, directly.}
What caused me to write this "post"; was a preacher who recently came on the AM radio, over here and "Wished a 'Happy Birthday' to the Christian Church... So, for all of you who are Christians out there: "¡Happy Birthday!"

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

Aren't the Pentecostals the people that dance with poisonous snakes?

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

NOT !
I am Pentecostal, and have been my whole life, but have never known anyone who ever danced, or even handled poisonous snakes, except for the father of a friend of mine, who was a scientist that worked for Kansas Univ., tagging and studying snakes. I believe there is/was a religion that called themselves
(Pentecostal) that had a reputation for “snake handling”, but a majority of the Pentecostal denominations do not participate in such demonstrations. I am
Assembly of God, which is a Pentecostal denomination, which is any religion that believes in baptism in the Holy Spirit and works of the Holy Spirit, which include speaking in tongues, Divine healing, prophesy, and the power to oppose the “evil one”
(Satan).
If you read Mark 16:15-18, Luke 10:19, and Acts 28:1-6, you will understand where the idea of snake handling comes from. Jesus is simply saying that with God’s / Holy Spirit’s power, we can do things not possible on our own. I don’t think God expects us to test his power without cause. That would be similar to what Satan did with Jesus on the mountain, when He was fasting.
I hope this helps you understand a little better.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

I'll take my chances with snakes

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thank you for "jumping in there", Randyhartford... I wouldn't have been capable of coming up with those other "Book, Chapter & Verse" recommendations; without "my Strong's"; and it's M.I.A. right now.
One thing I would add, to this "whole train of thought"; would be to emphasize to anyone and everyone, to read AT LEAST a few verses before and after any "recommended verse" that ANYBODY (yeah, even ME) "tosses out there" as any kind of "support for their point of view"; or, wh**ever the case may be. Think of how some English Teacher SOMEWHERE; (probably) told "you" to "be SURE to keep things in CONTEXT"!
I've just gotten done reading those 3 (whole) chapters; and, again: "thank you Randy".

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

I stand better informed. Discovered that my neighbors go to a Pentecostal church so I asked him. He just laughed and said pretty much the same thing.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Hey AbleMan. You’re welcome.
There is an app for “Strong’s” you can download for free. I put it on my iPhone; makes it real handy and the print is larger than the book. LOL I’m not very tech-savvy but I’ve also got a few t***slations of the Bible in my phone now, which is more convenient than packing around my “Parallel Bible”.
Your idea of reading scripture before and after for context is a great idea. Thank you for bringing that up. It REALLY helps in understanding what is being said and helps eliminate misinterpretation.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

There was a guy, back in 1910, in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee that started the practice of snake handling during their church service. His name was George Went Hensley. He preached that if a person was saved, they could handle poisonous snakes and not be harmed if bitten. There are still some of those churches in the Appalachian area that practice this, but it is NOT how most Pentecostal churches believe.
BTW Pastor Hensley died in 1955 from a rattlesnake bite during a church service. Just sayin’.....🙄

DC Loc: Washington state

DC Loc: Washington state

guess he didn't read when Jesus was tempted that he said "you shall not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7)

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

That is exactly what I was referring to earlier when Satan took Jesus to the mountain.

You can’t pick and choose which scriptures to believe or base your life actions on. You must take it all in context, like Able Man said.

Satan will tempt us, just like he did Jesus, but with the power given to us by God and the Holy Spirit, we are able to resist those temptations, just as Jesus did.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit so we could have the same power that was manifested in Him while on the earth. Through Him we can heal, prophesy, cast out demons,
etc., in His name. These are all good, productive things. I don’t think handling snakes produces anything good; it is only an exhibition, and totally unlike Jesus. He did not perform miracles to be showy.