Belief and Baptism

Day 71: Mark 16:1-20

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” - Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This last part of Mark, as in other places in the New Testament, doesn’t appear in the earliest of the Greek manuscripts. The New Testament is comprised of over 5800 different Greek manuscripts, and some of them are earlier copies than others. As early Christians copied the gospel of Mark, they included these final verses more and more as time went on. One of the proofs for anything being included in the New Testament was its continued use and affirmation by early Christians.

Plus, this particular passage fits quite nicely with the end of Matthew (28:18-20).

When Jesus asks us to go, it requires us to be uncomfortable. We will have to talk to people about our faith probably before we feel like we are ready. This is how Christianity has persisted for nearly 2000 years. It isn’t complicated, though some may make it that way.

Can you tell someone that they need to believe in Jesus? Can you tell them why baptism is important? Can you lead them in a confession of Jesus? Can you lower them down into the water and bring them back up? If so, stop disqualifying yourself and start being obedient to the risen Jesus.

Ready? Set. Go.

"As always in God’s dealings with humanity, it is faith that justifies and unbelief that condemns, and Christian faith is henceforth to be symbolized and sealed in baptism."
- Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 345)