From: Richardleeevange@aol.com

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 15:20:34

To: WalterMartin@mail.serve.com

Subject: Re: WM: Mark 16:15-18

Gerald,

In Acts 28:3 we read that Paul was ACCIDENTALLY bitten by a viper, yet did not die. Obviously, the author viewed this as divine protection. Whoever wrote the last verses of Mark probably had all of the Acts miracles in mind, such as tongues, healings, signs, and serpents handling in this context. The poison drinking seems to be absent. However, I would not view these last verses of Mark as authoratative anyway, since most scholars agree that the Gospel ends at 16:8 as a cliffhanger, the tomb is empty, and the reader is left to fill in the details.

Richard Lee