Question 12

Question 12:

If baptism is necessary to be saved, why didn't the Lord, in Mark 16:16, say "he that believeth not and is baptized not shall be damned"? Doesn't this show that believing is truly all that is necessary to be saved and that baptism is not required?

Answer: Please note the "necessary to be saved" in the first part of your question. That is the question that we wish to answer. What is necessary to be saved?

Actually, two questions are answered definitively in Mark 16:16.

First, let's look at the scripture itself; then both of the questions it answers.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16

Questions answered by this scripture.

1. Who shall be saved? and

2. Who shall be lost?

Let's see how Jesus answered these simple questions from Mark 16:16.

1. Who shall be saved? Jesus' answer: "He that believeth and is baptized".

2. Who shall be lost? Jesus' answer: "He that believeth not".

Many contend that baptism is not necessary because the words "and is baptized not" are not mentioned in the latter part of Mark 16:16.

If we are to proceed with this line of reasoning (i.e. if it is not mentioned, it doesn't belong) for the latter part of the verse; then for equality, we must apply this reasoning (if it is mentioned, then it does belong) to the first part of Mark 16:16.

Here is this line of reasoning when applied to the first part of Mark 16:16:

Since baptism "is mentioned" as part of what one must do to be saved, then "baptism truly is a part" of what one must do to be saved.

Basic Math Reveals The Error

Mathematical equations are often presented in word form. Mark 16:16 is such an example. By assigning values to believe( 3 ) baptism ( 4 ), and saved ( 7 ), we can immediately see flaws in the "baptism is not necessary to be saved" view.

3 + 4 = 7 True Statement

believe and baptized shall be saved True Statement

3 - 4 = 7 ??? False Statement

believe minus baptized shall be saved ??? False Statement

Or we could also mathematically compose this false view of Mark 16:16 as

3 + 0 = 7??? False Statement

believe and nothing = saved ??? False Statement

Simply put, Jesus said what one must do to be saved ( Mark 16:16 ). If one does not agree with Jesus, then one does not truly "believe" what Jesus said concerning salvation. This would therefore place the "non-believer" in the condition of "damned" as described in the latter part of Mark 16:16.

May God bless all to come to a proper understanding of Mark 16:16.