Doesn't Mark 16:16 teach that one must be baptized in order to be saved?

Question

You may quote other scriptures but please do not ignore Mark 16:16. I want you to deal with Mark 16:16, thanks.

Is there anyway to understand this verse's teaching about salvation and exclude baptism?

Decent and expected respones so far, thanks!

TO Let there be PAIEN :
Did you read Mark 16:16, he says belief plus baptism = saved

Yes it does say that whoever does not believe will be condemned, and I agree! Baptism does nothing if you don't believe!

***UPDATE***
The verse does clearly say that you will NOT be saved simply by not believing. But the verse does not say that you will BE SAVED just by believing.

And yes the theif on the cross was not baptized. Jesus gave him grace right there and a promise! But I am going to stick with what Jesus teaches after the ressurection. I am not going to ignore it simply because there are exclusions. If you think Mark 16:16 did not belong to the original text then you at least agree with Matthew 28:18-20 that teaches that if someone becomes a disciple they should be baptized. Or everyone we disciple we should baptize. At least that is what Jesus commands us to do.

Answer 1

True, and one verse later (Mark 16:17-NRSV) it also says "these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." How many true believers actually do this? Would these things be signs of those who are saved?

Besides, the most ancient texts end Mark with 16:8 and omit this passage altogether. Most scholars also maintain that that the last 11 verses of Mark do not belong there; in the original Greek, the style of writing differs with the rest of the book and was likely added.

Answer 2

Yes Mark 16: 16 does tell us to be baptized and so does John 3:5 Except a man be born of water and spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,No you can not exclude baptism that is were Jesus circumcises the heart ,and Jesus set us an example to follow,the only way someone can get past baptism is if they are bedridden and they are on their last leg and if they accept Jesus with a sincere heart they will have eternal life. God is graceful and merciful he wants to see everyone saved but if you know and dont do it thats not acceptable.

Answer 3

No, I don't think Mark 16:16 requires it - you have to look at the reciprocal part of the verse. Here's the verse in the NIV:

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Condemnation comes to those who do not believe, not to those who are not baptized. The Koine Greek is pretty straight-forward and matches the english translation pretty well - this isn't a verse translators get into fight over.

The thief on the cross next to Jesus is promised paradise - but is not baptized. The church traditionally has held that baptism is not a saving ordinance. This was misunderstood by many as early as Constantine's time, and the emperor himself withheld baptism until his deathbed so that he might be forgiven as many sins as possible through the act. The orthodox (correct) Christian faith has not historically taught that baptism forgives sins, but rather that the atoning death of Jesus forgives sins.

Hope this helps! Grace and peace!

Answer 4

One must absolutely be baptized to be saved. The thief on the cross was indeed baptized.

What is baptism?

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

So, baptism is not being dunked in water. The water is a symbol of baptism.

Mike

Answer 5

Compare the Baptism of John (literal) and the Baptism of Jesus Christ(spiritual) One comes baptizing in the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism referred to here probably means the later. Look at the criminal crucified with Christ, This day you shall be with me in Paradise. [after you figure out a way down and get some water?] What about John 3:16. I know baptism is important to a lot of people, but I think believing, truly believing is much more important. You stay in His word, you'll be alright. Don't start drinking snake venom, atleast not the literal stuff.

Answer 6

Yes, that is correct.

I hope people do not falsely assume that if someone dies without baptism that they can never be saved or receive it because there is a way they can and it is in the scriptures.

1 Connthians 15
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

According to the bible they practiced baptism for the dead, in other words someone living was baptized in their behalf, thus fulfilling this ordinance.

1 Peter 4
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 3
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Christ didn't preach to the spirits in prison just to taunt them, he taught them the same things he did on earth, repentence and baptism (done by others for them). This way everyone gets an opportunity. God is fair and just.

Answer 7

Mark 16:16 clearly states that those who believe and are baptized will be saved; however, water baptism is a public declaration of one's faith, but it is not required for salvation. You cannot take scripture out of context to "make your flesh feel good". Get a concordance and look up all references for salvation. Bottom line, we are saved BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

I agree, in the bible it says that baptism is necessary for salvation. First of all there has to be some kind of authorization in order for the baptism to be valid, ex. Jesus gave permission to his disciples only. My church believes that where it say to be baptized in the name of the father,son... father is not a name, you would have to substitute the name ex. son's name would be Jesus, Also to be baptized you have to be submerged into water just like the disciple Paul conducted his baptism. I am not very good at explaining, so I invite you to visit my church's web site at www.lldmusa.org and click the English version at the top right corner.

Answer 9

I believe if you take Mark 16:16 and combine it with the answer Peter gave to the Jewish people on the day of Pentecost in response to the question "What must we do to be saved?" and find Peter's answer "repent and be baptised" in Acts 2:38, it absolutely ties the act of baptism to salvation. Of course you also have to believe the Bible is the definitive source for such information.

Answer 10

I think you always have to take all of scripture into context. The emphasis in Mark 16:16 is the belief, not the being baptism.

NLT says "Anyone who belives and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned." It doesn't say "anyone who refuses to believe and refuses to be baptized will be condemned".

There are many referenced to those who are saved but not baptized. Like the thief on the cross.