Mar_16:15-16

Mark 16:15-16
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (15) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." At one's first reading, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;" would seem contradictory to the multiplicity of verses which say we are saved by believing only. For example, 1 John 5:13 states authoritatively that a person can know with absolute certainty that they possess eternal life, yet there is no mention of water baptism.

"These things have I written unto you THAT BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Peter states it is not water baptism or any human effort that redeems a person, but only the blood of Christ.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19

One should take the time to check his concordance and read all the verses that promise eternal life by faith and belief ONLY.  The Gospel of John, where belief and faith are mentioned over 100 times, would be a good place to start.  Here are just a couple:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - John 6:47

Comparing these verses with Mark 16:16, there either has to be an explanation; or we definitely have a contradiction between Peter, Mark, and John! May I draw your attention to the last phrase in Mark 16:16, "...He that believeth not shall be damned."

It does not say, "...He that believeth not (and is not baptized) shall be damned."

Only those who "believe not" shall be damned—in perfect accordance with John's statement in John 3:18...

"...He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Both Mark 16:16 and John 3:18 state that a person is condemned if they do not believe; but, nothing is said about being condemned if one is not baptized.  All Scriptures agree to this conclusion.  Since we are not condemned for not being baptized, then what does the opposite mean when Mark says "He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved"?

It is easy to understand this verse when the child of God realizes there are TWO who recognize that he is justified as being saved. The "believing" in Mark 16:16 justifies the person in the EYES OF GOD as being saved; this is our position in God's eyes, our salvation by belief or faith. Their public baptism is their testimony, justifying them as being saved in the EYES OF MAN. The lost will not recognize and justify a person as being a child of God; unless he hears the testimony AND sees the works compatible to a Christian. Baptism declares, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation..." - Romans 1:16 This identification is justification in man's eyes that I am saved. "Believeth" in Mark 16:16 is to the Book of Romans, what baptism is to the Book of James. Romans 4:5 says,

"...But to them that worketh not, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness (justification in God's eyes)."

Notice James 2:17-18 where man cannot see our faith, unless it is outwardly evidenced.

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead (in man's eyes), being alone. (17) Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (18) (justification in man's eyes)."

Therefore, "he that believeth," justifies me in God's eyes as being saved; AND my baptism justifies me as being saved in man's eyes.

"Believeth" is my position before God; whereas, baptism is my walk and testimony before men.