HE THAT IS BAPTIZED NOT?

 Mike Johnson

Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” This verse plainly shows the purpose of “belief” and “baptism.”  However, some point out that since the last part of verse 16 says, “…but he who does not believe will be condemned,” and does not say, “he does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned,” baptism is not necessary for salvation.

The objection stated above is not valid.  First, there is immediate suspicion of the argument because the first part of the verse says a person who believes AND is baptized shall be saved.  Would Christ contradict Himself in the second part of the passage?  Secondly, since there are two conditions stated as being necessary to receive a particular promise, and it only takes the neglect of one of the requirements not to obtain the assurance, it is not necessary to state the failure of both.  In the case of Mark 16:16, if a person does not believe, he usually would not be baptized.  Also, all it takes for a person to be lost is a lack of faith.  So it is unnecessary to say, “He that believes not and is baptized not.”

Consider the following statement.  “He that eats and digests shall live, but he that eats not shall die.” The example gives two conditions for life.  It is only necessary to state one term for death.  The person who does not eat will not digest, and the mere lack of eating will cause a person to die.  Therefore, saying, “He that eats not and digests not shall die, is unnecessary.”  The same is true of Mark 16:16.  “He did not need to say, “He that believes not and is baptized not shall be lost.”

It would be difficult to misunderstand Mark 16:16.  It teaches that belief AND baptism are necessary for salvation.