


Mark 16:16

ESV - 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.



Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

July 01 2013 12 responses Vote Up Share Report

Stringio Zahari Schtonov
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.’". 


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

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

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.

October 06 2015 5 responses Vote Up Share Report

Doktor 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.


1. Romans 6:3-6 

2. Colossians 2:12




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.

August 20 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report

Mini Rush Hampton
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

August 28 2014 1 response Vote Up Share Report

Stringio Emanuel khangale
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. 
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 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. 

September 29 2014 12 responses Vote Up Share Report

Mini Anthony Lyons
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

November 20 2017 1 response Vote Up Share Report

Mini James Kraft 74 year old retired pipeline worker
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.

April 21 2019 1 response Vote Up Share Report

Cross   lion Kevin Honeycutt Servant of Jesus Christ
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.

May 03 2019 19 responses Vote Up Share Report

Mini Todd McMillen
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!

May 15 2019 4 responses Vote Up Share Report

Data Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

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.

January 30 2019 2 responses Vote Up Share Report

D518df97 de60 4d58 89c6 bdba79ee6276 jasmine Roberts
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

April 27 2019 6 responses Vote Up Share Report

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