Description
Understanding Mark 16:16 – The Simplicity of Salvation
In this episode, we focus on the slightly controversial but theo… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Today’s verse might be slightly controversial because it’s in that end section, right at the end of Mark, where we’ve got a few verses from Mark chapter 16, verses 9 to 20, where these verses appear in some manuscripts, but not others, and there’s some debate about the reliability. So we only use this verse knowing that it’s consistent with what we see elsewhere in Scripture.
And this verse today encapsulates in a very small, pithy way, one of the most important principles of the Gospel. So I think we’re safe to use it. Mark chapter 16, verse 16. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And we say, thanks be to God for this. This is an extremely simple way of being saved. This is an extremely simple way of throwing off that curse that came down to us because of the Fall. All we need to do is believe and be baptised.
Now let’s not labour the point about baptism. Baptism is an external witness, a testimony, of the fact that we have accepted Jesus as our Saviour. And that’s a good thing for us to do. It’s a good thing for us to say, Jesus, I accept you, I’m going your way, and publicly I will proclaim this on the day of my baptism.
The counterpoint, of course, then, is not believing. And if we don’t believe, we’re not going to be baptised, or if we are baptised, but we didn’t really believe, then we’re not saved.
So, my friends, if you have not yet believed, been baptised, and thus been saved, I urge you to consider whether or not you will put your trust in Christ, this man who loves you so much that he died for you as well as for me.
Thank you, God, that you have not simply discarded us as sinners, but you have made it possible to once more be back in relationship with you, saved, complete, forgiven. Amen.
