Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"

The Church of God General Conference affirms the theological content of Mark 16:9-20 (that Jesus rose and appeared to disciples) while remaining open to scholarly discussion about whether this passage is part of the original Mark. The COGC notes that Mark 16:9-20 does not appear in the earliest manuscripts and that Mark's Gospel may originally have ended at 16:8.

However, the COGC does not reject Mark 16:9-20 as non-scriptural; rather, it affirms the passage's theological truth while acknowledging that its textual status is more complex than some other passages. The core content — the resurrection, post-resurrection appearances, and apostolic commission — is affirmed as biblical truth regardless of textual questions. The COGC's scholarly approach allows for both canonical inclusion and textual-critical awareness.