Did you know that Jesus said you have to believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16)?

Question

His words not mine.

Answer 1

Yes and It is the absolute truth. Also Acts 2:38 tells us to repent and be baptized for remission of sins and also Romans 6:3,4 which clearly shows that baptism is a burial in water, immersion, not sprinkling.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Thank-you for your question.

Answer 2

Let us quote the entire verse, shall we? "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned". If disbelief results in eternal condemnation -which it does- then belief results in eternal life. Baptism is an act of obedience that is done after someone is already saved. Want more Biblical evidence of this? Read Jn. 3:5-21. I'll simply quote one of these verses. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" -vs18. More? Jn.6: 40, "And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." And yet more? "I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" -Jn.11:25,26. See also Acts 10:44-48; and Acts 16:25-34. These are but a few of the verses which make it clear that baptism is not essential to salvation, it is an act of obedience done after salvation. Do you remember the repentant thief on the cross beside Jesus? He was never baptised and yet Jesus promised him "today you will be with me in paradise".

Answer 3

This is a difficult passage. But a basic principle of Bible interpretation is that difficult passages are to be interpreted in light of the easy, clear verses.
Now, notice the latter part of the verse: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED" It is UNBELIEF that brings damnation, not a lack of being baptized. When one rejects the gospel, refusing to believe it, that person is damned.
In regard to the question of whether baptism is necessary for salvation, consider the words of the apostle Paul: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Cor 1:17.) Paul here draws a clear distinction between baptism and the gospel. And since it is the gospel that saves (1 Cor 15:1-2), baptism is clearly not necessary to attain salvation.
That's not to say that baptism is unimportant. I believe that baptism should be the first act of obedience to God following a person's conversion to Christ. But even though we should obey God and get baptized, we must not forget that our faith in Christ, not baptism, is what saves us (Acts 16:31; John 3:16). Baptism is basically a public profession of faith. It says to the whole world, "I'm a believer in Christ and have identified my life with him."

Answer 4

You do not have to be baptized to be saved. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is the risen Son of God, and believed it in your heart, then you are saved. Baptism does not save a person. The water has no powers. Baptism is an act of obedience when starting your walk with Christ. It is symbolic of the life before Christ, the burial of self, and the new life you have in Christ. Baptism is something that is asked of us, but not salvation, itself.

Answer 5

The thief on the cross next to the Lord was not baptized. Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Being baptized is a by-product of you accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior.

Answer 6

Zoroaster, Mo, Moses and all other religions have some sort of "exclusivity" restriction, too. It's kinda like forcing people to register on your web site if they want to visit....

And if the early Church had decided not to include Mark's work in the New Testament, then that phrase would not be considered the inviolable "Word Of GOD". But then, the early church (like all churches) need a good base for a continued income stream.

Unlike humans, religions do not live by faith alone. They need bread.

Answer 7

So you are a Baptist ... no doubt?

Listen to the genius (Late) Frank Zappa and spare us the "Cosmic Debris".

Jesus also said "Love one another even as I have loved you".

And what about the Thief on the Cross he had no time or opportunity to be "Baptized" timing was off wouldn't you say?

Yet he went with the Christ to Paradise. Special exception?

Or do the Baptist write that off like they do the existence of Dinosaurs and have them living simultaneously ! Ugh!

Answer 8

What about the guy on the cross? I don't think he had much chance to go and be baptized. Jesus told him,"Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise." I don't think you must be baptized, but it shows your death, burial, and Resurrection with Christ through faith.

Answer 9

If the earliest and most reliable copies of Mark's gospel end at 16:8, why would you refer to a later addition to the text as Jesus' words?

Answer 10

WHOA baltic072. ummm... im a baptist and my church does so not believe you must be baptized to be saved. "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, YOU SHALL BE SAVED." Romans 10:9 This is what i, a baptist, believe.