Mark 16:16 and Baptism
My Lutheran upbringing always taught me that we are justified by faith alone. Mark 16:16 states that he who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Now would that imply that we are not saved by faith alone, but by faith and baptism? Shouldn't Lutherans be teaching that instead of faith alone? Thank you.
Your Lutheran upbringing has not misled you. The Bible consistently teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ without any works of our own (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6).
Jesus’ words in Mark 16:16 show us that Baptism is not a meaningless act. Baptism saves (Titus 3:5-6) because through the Christian faith it creates people enjoy the salvation Jesus won for them.
You notice in Mark 16:16 that it is not the lack of Baptism that condemns. It is the lack of faith. Christian faith saves; unbelief condemns. Faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. Baptism is not absolutely necessary in the sense that the Holy Spirit can work faith in a person’s heart through the word of God alone—apart from Baptism—and such a person might not have opportunity to be baptized. Baptism is necessary in the sense that Jesus commanded baptism (Matthew 28:18-19) and it is a means of grace (Mark 16:16).
So, let’s continue to teach that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone. Let’s also continue to teach the blessings and importance of Baptism.