Nothing More and Nothing Less

Mark 16

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

Mark records these marching orders Jesus gave to His followers. Can there be any doubt as to what Jesus means here? His followers are to go forth and tell others about Him. Those who hear this Good News and believe it will be baptized. Those who do not believe will be condemned. So, the opposite of being baptized is to be condemned. Hmmm...so why do so many people who claim to follow Christ (and certainly those who teach in His name) say that baptism is not essential for salvation? Why do they dismiss baptism as simply an outward sign of inward grace, etc.? It can ONLY be because they are not teaching what the Scriptures teach. They are following some manmade creed instead of following the very Words of Jesus Himself. May God have mercy on their souls for perverting His Word. May they come to repentance and follow what the Scriptures teach. Lord, keep me firmly grounded in Your Word, and help me to teach what You would have taught. Nothing more, and nothing less.