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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible ...
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Zahari Schtonov
Supporter
The Pharisees once asked John the Baptist why is he baptizing? They also wanted to know if he is not The Christ, or Elijah, nor "the Prophet" why does he do it? (John 1:25). You ought to ask yourself a question then: What exactly is baptism and when is it done? Also who has the right to baptize? Well that depends obviously. It depends on when is the baptism done and for what exact reason: Before the Christ has come or after? God the Father authorized John the Baptist to perform baptism to the Jewish people using water, in order to repent (turn around and change their lives). But why? The answer is in John 1:31: "...but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He (Jesus) might be revealed to Israel." That's the purpose of baptism with water. After Jesus' arrival John disappears from the scene: John 3:30 "He (Christ) must increase, but I (John the Baptist) must decrease". Because John's purpose was only to pave the road before Jesus's arrival. Once Jesus is on the scene, baptism is done with the Holly Spirit through faith in God by Jesus: John 1:33 "...he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’". John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The entire ministry of Jesus revolves around faith and believe! Only God can baptize you by giving you the Holy Spirit to live in you. Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. How does the Spirit comes to dwell in you? Water baptism? This is how the Apostle Paul and Silas lead the jailer to salvation: Acts 16:30-31 "...“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” When Jesus is ascended to Heaven here is what He tells His apostles in the 40 days that He visits them: Acts 1:5 - "for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit..:". Only God saves and only God can baptize you! No human ritual or individual can substitute the act of salvation.
D W
Supporter
We must not confuse 1. Jewish ritual washings, 2. John's ritual washings, and 3. our Spiritual "baptism" (Holy Spirit union with our Savior). The first two represent being ritually washed in water, the third the only applicable Truth. Our Spiritual baptism occurred when each one of us, individually, professed Jesus as Savior, Romans 10:8-13. The Jewish ritual washing in water occurred WHEN AND IF the Nation, the leadership, the Hebrew hierarchy, professed Jesus as the Promised Jewish Messiah, with the people then intending to follow Him in the Covenants. Alas, the nation and the people didn't do that. "Repentance," in Jewish terminology, means "to return" to the Covenants that God made with National Israel, very different from "repentance" in Christianity. An example of "repentance," in the Christian sense, is found in 1 John 1:9. The Jew returned to the Covenants, the Christian returns to fellowship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Prior to receiving Jesus as Savior, one does not "repent," as in the Jewish sense. There is nothing for a non-Christian to return to! One only repents after one has been saved and then slips back into sin. 1 John 1:9. [Dynamic Equivalent Translations follow -- Compare any available translation, as well.] 1. Romans 6:3-6 For surely you know that when we were united with Jesus we were united in His death. Through that union, then, we were buried with Him (Spiritually), sharing in His death in order that just as He was raised from death by the unlimited power of the Father, we are enabled to live a new (Spiritual) life. Because we have become One with Him in dying as He did, in the same manner we shall be One with Him by being raised to life as He was. We know for certain that our old earthly existence was put to death with Him on the Cross, thereby eliminating the power of the sinful nature, so that we are no longer the slaves of sin. 2. Colossians 2:12 Because you were united (with Him, Spiritually), you were buried with Him (Spiritually), and in that union you were also raised with Him through your faith in the unlimited power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead. 3. Now John 3:22-23 ..... Jesus and his disciples went to the province of Judea where He remained for some time with them where they ritually bathed people in water. John was also ritually bathing people in Aenon, not far from Salim, because there was plenty of water in that place. People were going to him and were being washed (by immersion). The first two references have nothing to do with water. They have everything to do with Spiritual union with Jesus. We are united with Him Spiritually, and then walk in newness of life. The third reference has everything to do with water. The people of Israel, the Hebrew Nation, were ritually bathed in water in preparation for the arrival of their Messiah, their Promised One, who would then and there establish His Kingdom of God on earth. This ritual was for the Jews in that day, 2,000 years ago. It is not for us today. So what happened? Some of the Jews rejoiced that Jesus was the Promised One. The hierarchy and others rejected Him. The Kingdom of God on earth was postponed, providing additional time for the Jews to return to the Abrahamic and other Covenants. Still, most Jews, under the influence of the Jewish leadership, rejected Jesus. Those who accepted Jesus Himself as the Promised Messiah were instantly redeemed (restored) to the Covenants. They will be resurrected when the Kingdom of God on earth (the Messianic Rule of Jesus on the Throne of David for 1,000 years), comes into being. They will enter that Kingdom on earth, a blessed place for the "remnant" of the Jews (one-third of the original Jewish population). This Kingdom on earth is not the same as the heavenly Heaven, the eternal home for Christians. Those who rejected Jesus as Messiah and those who reject Him as Savior by grace through faith will appear before the Great White Throne Judgment, with no hope. They will hear Jesus say, "Depart from me, you who work iniquity ....... I never knew you." They will pass from death unto judgment unto eternal separation from God in horror that is beyond description (Revelation 20:11; Matthew 7:23). Those who accept Jesus by grace through faith will appear, immediately after death, before the Judgment Seat of Christ, for the purpose of receiving rewards for their Christian witnessing, and will instantly thereafter be reunited in our heavenly Heaven with their loved ones who also passed from death unto eternal life in love that is beyond description. (2 Corinthians 5:10). At no point will they be told they should have been immersed in water. JESUS is the Way, the Truth and the Life! JESUS, not water! The transition from looking for the Jewish Messiah and obeying the Covenants, to receiving Jesus by grace through faith, the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), began with the calling of Saul on the road to Damascus, who became the Apostle Paul. Until Acts 13, Paul witnessed to the Jews about the former "mystery hid in Christ," which was salvation by grace through faith, the Rapture, and the unity of Jew and Gentile, not through the workings of the Law. The Jews rejected Paul's testimony, as well, at which time he took the Good News of Grace, the Rapture, and the uniting of Jews and Gentiles to everyone. Today it is available for everyone on earth.
Rush Hampton
Supporter
I see there's a lot of responses here so I will keep it short. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. This is not water baptizing. He that believes.... This means Trusts....he that trusts in Jesus.... The moment you trust God gives you the baptism of the Holy Sprit. Look real hard at this verse... Eph 1:13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. God Bless
Emanuel khangale
Supporter
Yes the baptism is necessary for salvation as the bible says in the book of (Mar 16:16) whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. And (Mat 28:19) Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Now the question is which baptism is he referring to the because bible speak of two baptisms (Mar 1:8) I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Act 19:3) "Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?" Paul asked. "The baptism of John," they answered. 4. Paul said, "The baptism of John was for those what turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him---that is, in Jesus." 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. This is important because (Eph 4:5) which is specifically speaking to Christians, says there is only one baptism. The question we must now answer is; which one of two baptism Jesus spoke of, which relevant to us today as Christians For vast of majority of Christians, the term “baptism” and “water” are virtually inseparable. It is ironic therefore, that throughout the centuries they have fought among themselves about this issue The word baptism is misconception always referring it as a baptism in water The Greek word “baptizo” simply means “to dip” or “to immerse” the word itself has absolutely nothing to do with the element into which something or someone is immersed, in other words, it is possible to be baptized into things other than water. To me it’s clear that (mark 16:16) is speaking about the baptism of the Holy spirit because believing is the process of holy spirit baptism Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (Act 19:5)When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Anthony Lyons
Supporter
Honest and diligent students of the Bible, please read and study these scripture citations and parallel texts in context: Matthew 3:1-17, 28:16-20; Acts 2:1-47, 8:4-13, 26-40; 9:1-19; 10:1-48; 16:11-15, 35-34; 18:1-8; 19:1-10; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 5:22-33; Titus 3:1-8; 1 Peter 3:18-22 and 1 John 5:6-13. There is no doubt that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, through the grace of God and not by works; however, obedience to water baptism is not a work! It is ".....the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,...."(1 Peter 3:21b NKJV). The great, wonderful and holy irony of salvation in Christ Jesus is that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, yet, as obedient children of the Father, we must do all of the good that we can! - Anthony Lyons
James Kraft
Supporter
We are baptized when we believe. Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how He said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit. The order of salvation is to believe on Jesus as the only way of salvation plus nothing. First Corinthians 15:1-4. He paid our sin debt in full so we can never be condemned again. John 3:18. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also AFTER ye believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise. Born again, born of God. So water baptism is only and outward expression of our faith in Jesus atoning work to save us. It has nothing to do with salvation and it is not something we can boast in because it has no power to save sinners. Once we have received the free gift of salvation by grace, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5.
Kevin Honeycutt
Supporter
Yes, baptism in water is part of obeying the Gospel. We must follow what the Apostles taught when ask "what must we do?" Hear- Romans 10:17, Matthew 11:15, Acts 18:8. Believe- John 5:24, Mark 16:16, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 18:8. Confess- 1 John 4:15, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:35-38. Repent- Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Matthew 9:13. Baptized- Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:35-38, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 18:8. Then God adds you into the Church- Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-11. Study the Scriptures daily- 2 Timothy 2:15. Endure to the end- Matthew 24:13.
Todd McMillen
Supporter
The Bible is clear that Salvation is by Grace Through Faith (Eph. 2:8-9) and not by works of the Old Law. Baptism is Scriptural, Authentic, and even Spirit Led (Acts 8:26-40). Baptism is a basic Bible Fundamentals. “Belief" is also a basic Bible Fundamental. These two Fundamentals of scripture are not in tension against each other. 2nd Tim. 3:16-17 directs us to view ALL scripture as inspired by God Himself. All scripture is profitable and worthy of our time. What we have now is very sound, accurate, and trustworthy, so let's roll with what God's given us. Now, onto Mark 16:16--->"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Several claim that since this verse doesn't include "...and is not baptized" along with the "does not believe", that Jesus didn't really mean baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus didn't really mean what he said. According to grammar, when two words, phrases, or clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction (such as "and") then they have equal ranking. In this case, whatever belief is for, baptism is also for. Whatever belief is against, baptism is also against. You cannot separate them! An example that comes to mind is this: "Whoever chews and swallows will live, but whoever does not chew will die." In this example, chewing and swallowing food are necessary to living. However, there is no longer a need to swallow your food unless it's been chewed in the first place. Same as with belief and baptism; there's no point in being baptized into Christ if you don't believe in Him! Baptism is both required and related (associated with the specified item or process, especially causally...belonging to the same family, group, or type; connected) to/for Salvation. And so is BELIEF! Scripture is clear that belief is also necessary! (John 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:53,54; 8:24; Acts 16:31) However, neither Belief alone or Baptism alone are what our Lord asks of us: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” The Bible says we are saved by Faith, but not by Faith Alone. Abraham was saved by Faith (Rom. 4:1-25) but nowhere does the text claim “by faith alone.” The word “alone” is nowhere to be found in accordance with “faith” in Romans 4, nor any part of scripture except James 2:14-26. Galatians 3 includes no such association between “faith” and “alone” anywhere. We need to stop inserting words that are not in scripture in sections we like. Other references of baptism in the New Testament include: Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-47; 8:1-25, 26-40; 9:10-19; 10:34-48; 11:1-18; 16:11-15, 25-40; 18:1-11; 19:1-10; 22:16; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 4:1-6; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Pet. 3:18-22 To God be the Glory! Great things He has done!
Danny Hickman
Supporter
Mark 1:4,5) John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. A description of John is given, one that paints a picture of a man who is oblivious to worldly standards, and then John is reputed to have said: I baptized you with water but One is coming after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. So, there WERE/ARE two baptisms. Why would there need to be another baptism if the water baptism that John provided (after they repented and confessed their sins) was the mandated baptism that the scriptures speak about? When scriptures speak of being "baptized and saved," or, "baptized for the remission of sins," they lead many to think baptism accomplishes salvation and accompanies belief in Jesus to secure it. Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38).. Peter is saying after they repent they will be baptized BECAUSE OF their sins being remitted through confession in the name of Jesus. Baptism is a result of their sins being in remission. If I say I went to the store for bread, I don't mean I went to the store because of bread. I mean I went FOR bread, in order to get bread. That's what some believe Peter means when he says for the remission of sins. They think he means IN ORDER TO GET remission of sins. If I say 'Faye went to the store for me,' I don't mean Faye went to the store in order to get me, I mean she went because of me. I sent her to get something. That's what the FOR that Peter uses means. He's saying the people will be baptized BECAUSE OF their confession and remittance of their sins, not in order to get remission of sins. FOR confused some people. It has to be understood in context to apply the correct meaning to it. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16).. The (b) part of the verse actually simplifies the natural confusion created by the (a) side of it. It doesn't mention baptism. The first part combines belief and baptism as if they are inseparable. It asserts that belief constitutes baptism, that baptism is a natural expression and progression of belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. The (b) side of the verse mandates belief by saying to not believe is to "cancel Christmas." The (a) side doesn't mandate the partner to belief to be baptism. It simply states that after becoming a believer baptism is in order. You don't have to get married after you fall in love, it isn't mandated. But, if you've met the love of your life there is no going back to the way things were before. Marriage naturally follows. You shouldn't have to be threatened in order to take the plunge. Marriage is a statement of your commitment to your loved one. But you don't have to have a wedding. It's not mandated, you can make your vows, buy a license and have it certified by the proper authority of the government. You'll be legally married. The same is true of getting intimately associated with Jesus. You make your confession of dependency and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You're now a part of the church which is the bride of Christ. You're married. A baptism is like the wedding, a statement of your commitment, but not a mandate to seal the deal. If you don't get baptized you're just as saved as a couple is married, who doesn't have a wedding ceremony. I'm not belittling baptism, it's a beautiful thing to do and to witness. Neither do I wish to overstate its power. It doesn't have any..... it's a picture not a person. Jesus is a person, and our only means to salvation.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
I noticed that Mark 16:16 is mentioned in 5 answers. Mark 16:16b is important here. "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED." It's UNBELIEF, says Jesus, that leads to damnation, not failing to be baptized. When someone rejects the good news and refuses to trust it, that one is damned. I agree with what Aurel Gheorghe said. When Jesus was crucified between the 2 thieves, 1 is penitent and places his faith in Jesus while hanging on the cross. 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The point is that the thief was saved without being baptized! "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned": This was a combined promise of salvation and a warning. Jesus did not say that condemnation belonged to the one who was not baptized, only to the one who does not believe. “A superficial reading of Mark 16:15-16 would suggest that sinners must be baptized to be saved, but this misinterpretation disappears when you note that the emphasis is on believing. If a person does not believe, he is condemned, even if he has been baptized.” (Wiersbe) “The omission of baptized with ‘disbelieveth’ would seem to show that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on disbelief, not on baptism. So salvation rests on belief. Baptism is merely the picture of the new life, not the means of securing it.” (Robertson) At the same time, it would be wrong to regard baptism as “non-essential.” It may not be essential to salvation, but it is essential to obedience. Jesus told the believer to be baptized, and they must do it. It becomes essential as soon as Jesus commands it. 16. He that believeth and is baptized —Baptism is here put for the external signature (a distinctive pattern or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified) of the inner faith of the heart, just as “confessing with the mouth” is in Ro 10:10; and there also as here this outward manifestation, once mentioned as the proper fruit of faith, is not repeated in what follows (Ro 10:11). shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned —These awful issues of the reception or rejection of the Gospel, though often recorded in other connections, are given in this connection only by Mark. 16. He that believeth and is baptized —Baptism is here put for the external signature of the inner faith of the heart, just as "confessing with the mouth" is in Ro 10:10; and there also as here this outward manifestation, once mentioned as the proper fruit of faith, is not repeated in what follows (Ro 10:11). shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned —These awful issues of the reception or rejection of the Gospel, though often recorded in other connections, are given in this connection only by Mark. This is "the long ending of Mark." And even if this passage, Mark 16:9-20, does not belong in the Bible, as some might say, there is no truth missing in the Bible, since everything taught here is found elsewhere in Scripture. This includes tongues (see Acts 2:1ff), baptism (Acts 2:38), and God’s 1st-century supernatural protection of His messengers unwittingly bitten by poisonous snakes (cf. Acts 28:3-5). So, in the final analysis, it is simply a debate about whether this particular text belongs in the Bible, not over whether any truth is missing.
jasmine Roberts
Supporter
The Bible clearly says that we are to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. John came to baptize with water for a call to repentance. Jesus came to baptize with the holy spirit and fire. John 1:33 Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16 Matthew 3:11
Keith Davis
Supporter
Whether Mark 16:16 should be in our Bible is immaterial, because we don't need it to establish that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation. The preponderance of other passages in the New Testament does that already. The sticking point that people appear to have is whether God can use any means he desires to bring us into contact with the blood of Christ. In theory, we'd all agree that that's his prerogative, but when the rubber hits the road, most believers today have been conditioned to unwittingly reject the prerogative of God. They say that for some reason baptism is in a different class of human action than other elements scripture tells us are involved in and necessary for salvation such as faith, repentance, and confession. It's a cop-out answer to say, "Well, Mark 16:16 doesn't say we can not be baptized." What does it positively say? Imagine if you told your children to do two things and then they could do such and such. Have they done what you asked if they skipped one of those things? And of course no one will be induced to do anything else God has required of them in order to take possession of the gift of his grace if they don't first have faith. Faith is the first step, but it is incomplete without repentance, confession, and water baptism. Part of the problem again derives from misunderstanding of what it means to be saved by grace through faith. The only place in scripture that uses the phrase faith alone is in James 2:24 when it's specifically saying that we are not saved by faith alone. Passages like acts 2:37 and 38 help us understand this, because in verse 37 they obviously come to Faith; but when they ask what they should do, Peter doesn't tell them that there's nothing to do because they are already saved by faith alone. He said to obtain God's forgiveness and the indwelling of the spirit they must first repent and be baptized. The same thing goes with the conversion of Saul: three days of prayer and fasting after the road to Damascus experience. That's not faith? And yet in Acts 22:16 Ananias says that Saul is still in his sins and requires baptism, calling on the name of the Lord without delay. Baptism, the final step in becoming a Christian, after which we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4), represents this calling on the name of the Lord, an appeal to God for a clean conscience. This is the way in which Peter can say that it saves in first Peter 3:21, and it begs the question how can one have a clean conscience without it? Just like Galatians 3:27 saying it's how we clothe ourselves with Christ begs the question of how we are clothed with Christ if we tried to do it without baptism. There's nothing magical about water. The power of God Is magical, and he says we have to obey. Hebrews 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
I have shared this analogy before in different questions but I want to share it again to address this verse. I believe the verse is saying that it takes belief and baptism to be Saved. Just not water baptism. Let me explain. Jesus said elsewhere that you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) In an old biblical times pickle recipe, the two words that are both used in the Bible for baptized are both used. The first word used in the recipe has the context of the "hot bath" process those of you familiar with canning will understand meaning to "dip" in hot water. (water baptism) The next word for baptized means to emerse and leave in the solution until the cucumber changes to a pickle. This, I believe though I have not looked it up in relation to this verse is what I believe this verse means. In John, Jesus said you had to be born again. The first birth was "of water" signifying a normal birth. The second birth was "of the Spirit" which signifies to me "baptized in the Holy Spirit" where you become a new creation, something different just as in the recipe. So is all you need to be saved is to believe? Yes, but believing to me is a lot bigger word than just a passing acknowledgement of Jesus. If you truly believe you will want to please God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Remember His two greatest commandments to us? "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and " love others as yourself". In other words be Baptized (in the Holy Spirit)! (Of of the two Greek words for baptized is "baptized" I think. The other might be baptizmo but I am not sure. Sorry I didn't have time to look it up today and my memory is not what it used to be :))
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