1. The devils believe in God, but they will not be saved

(Jas. 2:19).

2. Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:26).

B. Jesus here states: "He that believeth and is baptized shall

be saved...."

1. "And" is a coordinating conjunction which places equal

importance on believing and being baptized.

2. Jesus is explaining two separate acts that must be done

in order to be saved.

C. The later part of Mark 16:16 states: "He that believeth not

shall be damned."

1. Since Jesus condemns the one who does not believe

(and not one who does not believe and is not baptized),

some have foolishly suggested that belief is the most

important of the two acts and the only act that must be

done in order to be saved.

2. The truth is that one who does not believe will not be

baptized, and he will not do any of the other steps in

God’s plan of salvation either.

3. It’s a lot easier to accept what Jesus said rather than

twist His Words to fit various false doctrines.

differently?

1. What if Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized

shall get a new car," or "He that believeth and is

baptized shall receive a million dollars"?

2. Would there exist as much debate over its meaning?

B. How better could Jesus teach that one must believe and then

be baptized in order to be saved than His statement in

Mark 16:16?

March 2, 2003 (a.m.)