Where are the believers?

Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs shall follow them that believe, in My name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, 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.”

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give. If these signs shall follow them that believe, then where are the believers?”

The word believe means “those who acknowledge Jesus as the Savior and devote themselves to Him.”

The disciples believed this about Jesus. Peter proclaimed it in Matthew 16:16 “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But in Mark 16:11 and 13 the disciples did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead even though He told them many times what was going to take place.

Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief after He was risen. These signs shall follow them that believe… believe what? Believe that Jesus is the Christ, and He is risen from the dead. Believe He is Lord and Savior, and in His name is power!

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.’”

Because we believe on Him as the scripture says, “We have power through His name to cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, to lay hands on people and see them recover.”

Where are the believers? Where are those who won’t doubt, who won’t back down? Where are those who will say, “Yes Lord, I believe You to do the work, use me for your kingdom.”

Where are those who aren’t ashamed to lay hands on others and pray the prayer of faith for healing, for deliverance, for salvation? This is a lost and dying world; a world full of hurt, pain, sorrow, anger; a world full of satanic bondage.

Where are the believers that will give hope to the hopeless, love to those labeled unlovable, and reach for those sinking in sin? Where are the believers?

Susan Emmons is the pastor of Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle, a Pentecostal church in Douglassville and can be reached at 430-342-4829 for information or prayer.