“He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.”  (Mark 16:16). There is nothing difficult at all about the verse before us. It is simple, yet profound. It says what it says. Confusion only comes when men add to what our Lord said, or take from it. This is a simple promise made by Jesus following his death, burial and resurrection. Notice:         

THE OBJECT OF FAITH – “He who believes…” The first step one must take in order to be saved is to believe the message of the gospel. In the preceding statement, Jesus had admonished his disciples to preach the gospel to every creature. The response that God requires is belief – belief in Jesus as God’s son and as our Savior. The good news about Jesus is the object of our faith.

THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH – “And is baptized…” Faith leads us to express our faith in Christ. Baptism is a part of our salvation experience. It is not a take-it-or-leave-it affair. It is an express directive of Christ and is tied to both faith and salvation.

THE OUTCOME OF FAITH – We have it on the highest possible authority that whoever believes and is baptized “shall be saved.” Faith in Christ and obedience to His word leads to the eternal salvation of our souls. And that is the greatest news there is in the world today.