Bible Question: In my observation, this verse was perverted by many present-day preachers. It was Jesus who says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." But most if not all, I hear evangelists conclude their messages by saying, "Repent of your sins and you will be saved!" After the reception, they continued, "Now that you are saved,you may now be baptized!" I think this is perverting the pure word of God. It becomes, "He that believeth and is saved shall be baptized." Perversion is twisting the Word of God! Isn't this not? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Arapga! There are two important issues surrounding Mark 16:16. First of all, is the text original or not. I have posted on this point before. If you would like to read them, simply search for 'Morant61' and 'Mark long ending'. To summarize, there is strong evidence that the long ending of Mark is not original. At the very least, there is tremendous uncertainty as to what the ending was period. So, it would be very dangerous to base a doctrine upon such a disputed passage. Secondly, there is the question of the meaning if the verse is original. Is there some 'work' required on our part to be saved? Here are some of the other verses where the phrase 'will be saved' is used in the New Testament. 1) Acts 2:21 - "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 2) Acts 16:31 - "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.'" 3) Rom. 10:9 - "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." 4) Rom. 10:13 - "for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" The common theme in all of these verses is trust or belief in Christ. There just isn't any support for the notion that we must 'do' something in addition to what Christ has already done to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, not by our good deeds or obedience. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |