Mark 16:15-16and Conversion

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

1. God gives us a responsibility Jesus said “Go…” This commission continues today (2 Tim. 2:2) There is a time to say “Come…” (Rev. 22:17),

but we must also make time to “Go…” (Lk. 14:21-23; Acts 8:4)

We may not be GROWING because we are not GOING!

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

2. God wants all mankind to be saved The gospel is to go into “all the world” …

“to the whole creation” All mankind needs saving (Rom. 3:23) God wants all saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9) Evangelism must be done at home and

abroad

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

3. Preaching is important “Go … preach” Preaching comes before / after salvation

(Rom. 1:15-16; 10:9-10) No entertainment or stand-up comedy

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

4. There is only one true gospel “Go … preach the gospel” Only the one gospel of Jesus Christ saves

(Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 4:4-6) Not a latter-day gospel or gospel of health

and wealth

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

5. Belief (faith) in the truth saves “He that believes…” Only belief in the truth (the gospel) saves

(Eph. 1:13; Jn. 17:17) Belief in error will condemn (2 Thess. 2:10-12) But belief only gives one “the right to become”

a child of God (Jn 1:12) Having the right to become president does not

make you president

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

6. Each one must have is own belief (faith) to be saved “He that believes…” The one saved is the same one who believes

and is baptized; belief must be personal No proxy salvation (Catholicism, Mormonism) Not enough to be a “good person”

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

7. Belief (faith) always comes before baptism and salvation “He that believes and is baptized shall be

saved…” God’s order: belief + baptism = salvation

(Acts 18:8) Man’s order: baptism = salvation + belief

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

8. Belief (faith) only does not save “He that believes and is baptized shall be

saved…” True Bible belief (faith) acts and obeys

(Mk. 1:15; 2:5) Faith only is dead (Jas. 2:24-26)

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

9. Baptism comes before salvation “He that believes and is baptized shall be

saved…” Baptism is necessary for salvation; it washes

away sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21)

God’s order: belief + baptism = salvation Man’s order: belief (faith only) = salvation +

baptism

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

10. Baptism alone does not save “He that believes and is baptized shall be

saved…” Many falsely accuse us of believing in “water

salvation” Baptism is a work of God (Mt. 3:15; Lk. 7:30;

Col. 2:11-12) and a work of faith Baptism is followed by growth (Ac. 2:42;

2 Pet. 1:5)

What Does Mark 16:15-16 Teach?

11. Disbelief (disobedience) alone will condemn “But he that disbelieves shall be condemned” Many believe God will not condemn anyone Disbelief (disobedience) alone will condemn one to

hell (Jn. 3:18) Examples…

He that enrolls and takes a class will be educated; he that does not enroll will be uneducated

He that eats and digests his food will live; he that does not eat will die

Conclusion

• So what do we learn from Mark 16:15-16?– We need to go and preach the gospel– We need to believe– We need to be baptized– If we wish to be saved– If we do not wish to be saved

• Then we don’t need to do anything