Mark 16:14-20 - Is it a parable?
An examination of the Revivalist understanding
By Drew Dixon

Part 4 - Healing and false doctrines?

It is evident that the RCI still see the laying on of hands in greater part as a literal fulfilment (as confirmed in the June 1999 VOR, quoting from James and as practised at their prayer lines). The problem is, they still have the sick and infirmed in their ranks. Are their sick members (some permanently so) to be excluded from being children of God? The text of Mark 16 simply says 'these signs' will follow those that believe. All Revivalists lay claim to the belief mentioned in verse 16, which is the belief for salvation. They all lay claim to the fact they speak in tongues. Now it is the same belief that is used to 'lay hands on the sick for recovery' as it is to speak in tongues. So keeping the type, we would need to infer all should lay hands on and see them all recover. In its context, it is exactly the same belief (as they can all speak in tongues at any time). 

If some do not get healed, is there something wrong with the believing of either the person praying or the one being prayed for? Revivalists always fire the question at people 'do you speak in tongues', but according to their view of Mark 16, those in the RCI could rightfully be asked, "if you can pray in tongues any time and it is a required proof of the Holy Spirit, can you lay hands on people (even on your own fellow believers) and see them recover, every time?". 

The verses in Mark make no distinction between the signs or projected success rate, especially if one is to see tongues as a prerequisite for all.

As stated, It is obvious that devout Revivalists still get sick. Some remain always so (as did Timothy it would seem). Does this mean these people are not the true believers of Mark 16?

Of course it does not, just as not all will be healed or see people healed that they pray for, not all will speak in tongues either. Nor will all cast our devils etc.

Another obvious problem with the RCI's casting out of false doctrines angle, is that the greater percentage of tongues speakers in this world (millions) hold to and preach a TOTALLY different doctrine to Revivalists, some even cast out devils. The RCI would generally consider the Pentecostal / Charismatic / Third Wave doctrines as all false or very misled. Therefore, not only did most of these groups 'acquire' tongues & Holy Ghost via a false doctrine, but the Holy Ghost has almost totally failed to clean up their false and 'demonized' way of thinking.

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