@pettytalk said
Is Mark 16:17-18 symbolic, or literal? Perhaps it's just recruiting rhetoric to swell the pool of believers? Just a pep talk a coach gives to his losing team at half-time, which is way down on points to the opposing team?
As history has shown, the initial pool of Christianity has swelled to the point of flooding all parts of the world: A universal Christian deluge more w ...[text shortened]... lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwoBUl_Jbts&t=506s
Literal, but again you reading into the verse that says these things will occur to every one of His, but that is not what it is saying, to know what His followers look like you need to ponder these.
Matthew 7:15-17
English Standard Version
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 7:19-21
English Standard Version
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Galatians 5
English Standard Version
Keep in Step with the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.