Believe and Be Baptized - Mark 16:16

Mark wrote how Jesus instructed His disciples, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”, and in chapter sixteen and verse sixteen of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”, where we read:

He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.

The verse reads, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved;” Mark began with the words, “He that believes” or “the person whether male or female who trusts in, relies upon and clings to Jesus” “and is baptized” which means “and is immersed and submerged in water as an outward symbol of an inward decision to trust in Jesus” “shall be saved” or “will be kept safe and sound, rescued from danger or destruction and delivered”. Mark shared how Jesus said people who “believe” and trust in Him and are “baptized” will be “rescued” from the penalty of sin.

The verse goes on to say, “but he that believes not shall be damned.” Mark continued with the words, “but he that believes not” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover the person who does not rely upon, trust in or cling to Jesus” “shall be damned” or “will be judged worthy of punishment and condemned”. Mark shared how the person who refuses to “believe” and trust in Him will be “condemned” and “worthy of punishment”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus made a distinction between those who “believe” in Him and those who do not. God wants every person to believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, however, many will not. When they choose not to “trust in and rely upon” Jesus Christ, they will have “condemned” themselves to eternal separation from a relationship with God.

Next time Mark shared how Jesus said, “these signs shall follow them that believe”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".