Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
Understanding - Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16 is often quoted to support the belief that one must be baptized by water to be saved. Let's take a look at what it actually says...
Mark 16:16 (NASB)
16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
The first thing I will point out here is that it is strange how Jesus gives two stipulations to being saved but only one to being condemned. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned. What about those who do believe and are not baptized? He does not say they are condemned. Why only those who do not believe are condemned if water baptism is necessary?
The second thing I want you to notice is the fact He doesn't actually say "water" baptism! He says that he who believes and is baptized will be saved, but He doesn't say that baptism is water baptism! Some just tend to assume that is what it is speaking of, when in fact it is not.
Remember in John 3:5 when it says one must be born of water and spirit to enter the kingdom of heaven? Even though I contend that it was not speaking of water baptism, I do however believe it was definitely speaking of baptism of the Holy Spirit. What is important to recognize here however is what exactly baptism of the Holy Spirit is.
Many believe you need to be prayed over and ask the Holy Spirit to enter you to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is not correct. You can be prayed over to receive the "gift" of the Spirit, but it never says to receive the Holy Spirit. That is because the very moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
You see? After hearing the gospel of truth, the very moment you believe, God sends the Holy Spirit to you to seal you with a promise of salvation! That is the baptism of Holy Spirit. It happens automatically the very moment you believe in your heart.
So in Mark 16:16 when it says that he who believes and has been baptized, it is speaking of baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus comes for us in the rapture, everyone with the seal of the Holy Spirit in them will be taken up. When we die, the seal of the Holy Spirit within us will take us to heaven.
Why doesn't it mention the baptism for those who are condemned? It is impossible for someone who does not believe, to be baptized by the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is never going to enter someone who does not truly believe.
In truth, Jesus is basically just saying the same thing as He says in John 3:18...
John 3:18 (KJV)
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.
The only reason He mentions baptism is because He chose that way to stress that one must truly believe from their heart that He is the only begotten Son of God. One needs to believe it deep enough that it results in them receiving the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16 (NASB)
16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
The first thing I will point out here is that it is strange how Jesus gives two stipulations to being saved but only one to being condemned. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned. What about those who do believe and are not baptized? He does not say they are condemned. Why only those who do not believe are condemned if water baptism is necessary?
The second thing I want you to notice is the fact He doesn't actually say "water" baptism! He says that he who believes and is baptized will be saved, but He doesn't say that baptism is water baptism! Some just tend to assume that is what it is speaking of, when in fact it is not.
Remember in John 3:5 when it says one must be born of water and spirit to enter the kingdom of heaven? Even though I contend that it was not speaking of water baptism, I do however believe it was definitely speaking of baptism of the Holy Spirit. What is important to recognize here however is what exactly baptism of the Holy Spirit is.
Many believe you need to be prayed over and ask the Holy Spirit to enter you to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is not correct. You can be prayed over to receive the "gift" of the Spirit, but it never says to receive the Holy Spirit. That is because the very moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
You see? After hearing the gospel of truth, the very moment you believe, God sends the Holy Spirit to you to seal you with a promise of salvation! That is the baptism of Holy Spirit. It happens automatically the very moment you believe in your heart.
So in Mark 16:16 when it says that he who believes and has been baptized, it is speaking of baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus comes for us in the rapture, everyone with the seal of the Holy Spirit in them will be taken up. When we die, the seal of the Holy Spirit within us will take us to heaven.
Why doesn't it mention the baptism for those who are condemned? It is impossible for someone who does not believe, to be baptized by the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is never going to enter someone who does not truly believe.
In truth, Jesus is basically just saying the same thing as He says in John 3:18...
John 3:18 (KJV)
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.
The only reason He mentions baptism is because He chose that way to stress that one must truly believe from their heart that He is the only begotten Son of God. One needs to believe it deep enough that it results in them receiving the Holy Spirit.
