I think this was a very well composed and written explanation. Can I tell you what I always thought about Mark 16:15-18? You might disagree because we may have different interpretations of scripture.
Mark 16:15 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 recover.
Casting out devils: Liberating people from belief and faith in false doctrines. (Converting someone to the faith.)
Speak in new tongues: Understanding and speaking true Bible doctrine.
Verse 18 in general: Taking up serpents and drinking a deadly thing is devil's indoctrination and confronting falsely indoctrinated people will not result in you being swayed away from true Bible doctrine.
Indeed, those are true spiritual gifts that can come from no other source. Discerning of spirits is a tremendous gift of the spirit. It's very real. If it weren't here and dispensed to God's children, they would all be lost.
Mark 16:15 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 recover.
Casting out devils: Liberating people from belief and faith in false doctrines. (Converting someone to the faith.)
Speak in new tongues: Understanding and speaking true Bible doctrine.
Verse 18 in general: Taking up serpents and drinking a deadly thing is devil's indoctrination and confronting falsely indoctrinated people will not result in you being swayed away from true Bible doctrine.
Indeed, those are true spiritual gifts that can come from no other source. Discerning of spirits is a tremendous gift of the spirit. It's very real. If it weren't here and dispensed to God's children, they would all be lost.
"Afterward he appeared unto the ELEVEN as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."
The ELEVEN were the Apostles minus Paul who was at this time not an Apostle. IT was THEM to who Jesus Christ commisioned and it was to THEM that the SIGN GIFTS were given.