28:3-6 What do we learn from Paul surviving the viper's bite here?
28:3-6 What do we learn from Paul surviving the viper's bite here?
Paul surviving the viper's bite confirms what Christ has promised in scripture to every believer (CP Mk 16:17-18; Lu 10:19). The viper's bite was of little concern to Paul.
He knew he was a partaker of all Christ's promises and simply shook the viper off himself into the fire, and then went about his business. This is not teaching that Christians can play around with snakes just to prove their faith, but if they are accidentally bitten like Paul, it will not hurt them.
The same applies with poison. If anyone inadvertently drinks poison, or is deliberately poisoned by someone else, it will not harm them either (CP 2Ki 4:38-41).
Neither shall any plague affect them (CP Psa 91:9-10).
See also comments on Mk 16:17-18; Lu 10:20 and author's studies Psalm 91 and Signs and Wonders in God's Redemptive Plan in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1).