August 1998

Baptism...

He That is Baptized NOT???
By Mike Johnson

Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...." This verse shows plainly the purpose of both "belief" and "baptism." However, some point out that since the last part of verse 16 says, "...but he that believeth not shall be damned," and does not say, "he that believeth not and is baptized not," that baptism is not essential to salvation.

The objection stated above is not valid. Immediate suspicion is raised because the first part of the verse says that a person who believes AND is baptized shall be saved.. Would Christ contradict Himself in the second part of the verse?

Secondly, when two conditions are stated as being necessary to receive a certain promise, and it only takes the neglect of one of the conditions to not receive the promise, it is not necessary to state the failure of both. In the case of Mark 16:16, if a person does not believe, he normally would not be baptized. Also, all that it takes for a person to be lost is a lack of faith. So it is not necessary to say, "He that believeth not and is baptized not."

Consider the following statement. He that eateth and digesteth shall live, but he that eateth not shall die. Two conditions are stated for life. It is only necessary to state one condition for death. The person who does not eat will obviously not digest, and the mere lack of eating will cause a person to die. Therefore, it is not necessary to say, "He that eateth not and digesteth not shall die." The same is true of Mark 16:16. "He did not need to say, "He that believeth not and is baptized not shall be lost."

It would be difficult to misunderstand Mark 16:16. It teaches that the person who believes AND is baptized shall be saved. -Mike Johnson

[Editor’s Note: Thanks to Mike for the article! Mike can be reached at: Mike Johnson, 2137 Penhall Drive NE, Huntsville, AL 35811, mkacjohn@aol.com]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com