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NASB | Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:16 "He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God's wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. |
Bible Question:
How do so many read this verse and negate the fact that baptism is needed for salvation? |
Bible Answer: The scripture you stated along with 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Matt. 28:19, and John 3:5 indicate that baptism is an important part of our salvation. Nothing in the water itself saves, but it is "the pledge of a good conscience toward God." ( 1 Peter 3:21). Some have called it the "Demonstration of Devotion", much like a wedding ceremony. I think there are two important things to remember: 1) There are no examples in the New Testatment church of any "unbaptized" believers. All converts followed their decision to believe in Christ with baptism. 2) Jesus himself was baptized. Not for salvation, but as an example and also to recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. (John1:32-33) To add briefly, some point out that the theif on the Cross was never baptized. This is true. That is why I carefully worded the above statement with "The New Testament Church" which was started after Christ's death. |