Mark 16 & 1 John 4 on Baptism
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:47 pm
Mark 16:15-16 (NASB)
15. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
It is often argued that the second clause in verse 16 is proof that baptism is unnecessary because it is not mentioned regarding those who will be condemned. My response has long been that Jesus never contemplated that people who disbelieved the gospel would be baptized, so there was no reason to mention their failure to be obedient in baptism. I find further support for my argument in the structure of 1 John 4, though it has nothing to do with baptism:
1 John 4:2-3 (NASB)
2. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3. and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God
Notice that in the second clause "has come in the flesh" is omitted, similarly to Mark 16:16, because it is unnecessary to the point being made by John; it is clearly implied.
15. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
It is often argued that the second clause in verse 16 is proof that baptism is unnecessary because it is not mentioned regarding those who will be condemned. My response has long been that Jesus never contemplated that people who disbelieved the gospel would be baptized, so there was no reason to mention their failure to be obedient in baptism. I find further support for my argument in the structure of 1 John 4, though it has nothing to do with baptism:
1 John 4:2-3 (NASB)
2. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3. and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God
Notice that in the second clause "has come in the flesh" is omitted, similarly to Mark 16:16, because it is unnecessary to the point being made by John; it is clearly implied.