Sermon Title: The Commission

A majority of scholars look at the ending of Mark and come up with three conclusions.

1. It’s not in the earliest manuscripts.
2. It sounds different from the rest of the book.
3. It gives some “strange” doctrinal statements that don’t align with the rest of scripture.

First, the idea Baptismal Regeneration (16:16) - “whoever believes and his baptized will be saved...” - this phrase has led many to tie salvation together salvation to not only belief in Christ, but water baptism.
Which is not the case.

Next, Snake Handling mentioned (16:18).

Next there is the addition of Drinking of Poison, “if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them” (16:18).

The fourth possible statement made is the Healing by Laying Hands on the Sick (16:18).

Yes, we believe in healing. Yes, we believe in the laying of hands on those we pray for, and anointing with oil.

However, laying on the hands and praying for the sick does not guarantee a person will be healed.

What many scholars believe is that later writers and scribes added to Mark’s letter to make it “seem complete”, or “more like the others.”

Mark 16:9-20 seems to be a mash-up from the other gospels and other historical accounts:
- Encountering Mary Magdalene parallels Jn 20:14–18
- Two people walking in the country parallels the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13–35
- The eleven while reclining parallels Luke 24:36–43
- The commissioning parallels Matthew 28:19–20
- The ascension parallels Luke 24:50–51

“The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.” - Fundamental Truth #1

Matthew 28:18-20
vs. 18 - This commission that follows is given in light of the authority of Jesus. This indicates that this is an authoritative command, not a suggestion.
vs. 19 - We are to go! All nations - all races, all people.
vs. 20 - We go and Jesus will be us as we do it!

This generation, those on planet earth right now, and the generations to come, they are counting on us to go!