Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 NABRE
Mark writes about Jesus last appearance to His disciples where He lays out their mission. They are to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Jesus extends the good news beyond God’s chosen people, as it has been during Jesus earthly life. Now all creatures of the world are invited to accept the good news of Jesus and to become a disciple. As we read in the scriptures Jesus provides much wisdom and advice and even emphasizes some of God’s commands. Anyone can hear, read and accept these messages. If we believe and are baptized we are saved. Salvation for Mark is the uniting of every believing creature with Jesus and ultimately God. There are ways to acknowledge acceptance of this belief, the best and most common is baptism. Baptism is the means to acknowledge belief in Jesus and acceptance of God’s desired communion with His creatures. Jesus also emphasizes those who do not believe will be condemned. In fact it could just as easily say they condemn themselves. If you don’t believe in the message of Jesus, or in Jesus or God then you have no need for salvation and it will not be offered.
Many say if you are not baptized then there is no acknowledgement of belief and you fall into the “non-believer” category. We of course know this is not true. Churches want people to be baptized as acknowledgement, but there are times when baptism is not possible. Certain churches have a baptism called the baptism of desire. Those who truly believe but cannot be baptized can still be saved thought their heartfelt desire. As God knows our heart we can be assured God will never abandon any believing follower.
Were you baptized? Do you want to be baptized?
Baptism is the means to acknowledge belief in Jesus and acceptance of God's desired communion with His creatures. There are other means to demonstrate belief and God will never abandon a believing creature. Share on X#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #baptism #belief #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways