Gospel Plan of Salvation: Be Baptized, for What?

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

Mark 16:16

Diagram

Mark 16:16 is one of many passages that confirm that baptism is one of the five steps in the Gospel Plan of Salvation that is applicable to all men. Some observations in the verse include the fact that both belief and baptism are coequals to be saved. The diagram below shows their correlation as well as the order of both belief and immersion for the purpose of salvation. Belief is an absolute prerequisite of baptism, and this is very well explained in the second section of the verse, for it is by disbelief that one is condemned. As noted before, it certainly takes more to be saved than to be condemned.

He____________________________________________________/shall be saved

That______________________ /believeth

/and

/is baptized

He____________________________________________________/shall be condemned

That_____________________/disbelieveth

There is Further Evidence

The essentiality of baptism is not limited to just Mark 16:16. In Acts 2:38, Peter commanded that those who were lost and guilty of the blood of Jesus were to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin. Verse 41 tells us that all of those who received His word were baptized and they were added to the church. This is expressed later in Acts 8:35-36 in which Phillip preached unto the Ethiopian eunuch Jesus and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Did you notice that the eunuch said here is water? What do you suppose he understood from the preaching of Jesus by Philip? In Acts 22:16, Ananias declared to Paul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.” Paul later explains that we are to die to our sins and are buried in baptism and resurrected to walk in the newness of life (cf. Rom. 6:4-6). It is in baptism where we are united with Christ in the likeness of His death, as well as His likeness. Paul also said, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. (cf. Gal 3:27).” Peter also reminds us that baptism is salvific (cf.1 Peter 3:21). Lastly, 1 Corinthians 12:13 concludes that we were all baptized into one body (the church). Mark 16:16 is one of many supporting texts that confirm the essentiality of baptism for the remission of sin.

With the evidence above can one deny the essentiality of baptism? I suppose without Biblical evidence, one could. However, without Biblical evidence, one cannot have Biblical salvation. To answer our critics, we want to remind you that baptism is not the only act of obedience one must satisfy to receive the gift of salvation our Lord freely offers. One must hear, believe, repent, and confess, otherwise, baptism is merely a bath. When the Gospel is obeyed, one is not merely baptized, one is saved!

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers