𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟭𝟲:𝟭𝟲–𝟭𝟴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗕𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡?

Does Mark 16:16–18 Teach Baptism Is Required for Salvation?

Many Christians read Mark 16:16–18 and ask:

“Does this mean baptism is necessary for salvation?”
“Should believers today be casting out devils and speaking in tongues as proof they are saved?”

Let’s take a careful look — and rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

Mark 16:16–18 KJV:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

This is one of the clearest kingdom gospel passages — and it’s important to handle it in its prophetic context.

1. Baptism Was a Requirement Under the Kingdom Gospel

In Mark 16:16, Jesus is giving final instructions to His apostles concerning the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:14). At this point, the mystery of the gospel of grace had not yet been revealed to Paul.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…”

This matches the Acts 2:38 message Peter preached at Pentecost:

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38)

And it matches John the Baptist’s message before that:

“...John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4)

So yes — in the kingdom program to Israel, baptism was required as an outward expression of repentance and faith, tied to Israel’s covenant promises.

2. What About the Signs That Follow?

Verses 17–18 list miraculous signs that would follow believers:

• Casting out devils

• Speaking in new tongues

• Surviving snake bites and poison

• Healing the sick through touch

These signs were real, and they did occur in the early Acts period:

• Acts 2 – Tongues at Pentecost
• Acts 5:16 – Healings by the apostles
• Acts 28:5 – Paul survives a viper bite
• Acts 19:12 – Handkerchiefs from Paul heal the sick

Why did they happen? Because signs were for Israel:
“For the Jews require a sign…” – 1 Corinthians 1:22
Jesus even said:
“Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” – John 4:48

Signs were proof of the kingdom to the nation of Israel. They were part of prophecy (see Isa. 35:5–6; Joel 2:28–31) — and they accompanied the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, not the gospel of grace.

3. What About Today?

Today, we live in the dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2) — not in Israel’s kingdom program.

Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13), writes:

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” – 1 Cor. 1:17
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works…” – Eph. 2:8–9
“There is one baptism…” – Eph. 4:5 (and it’s spiritual, not water – 1 Cor. 12:13)

In this dispensation, salvation comes by faith alone in the finished work of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4) — not through signs or rituals like water baptism.

4. Are These Signs for the Church Today?

No.

Today, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). The sign gifts have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8–10), because God is no longer dealing with Israel as a nation under covenants, signs, and wonders.

Instead, He’s forming the Body of Christ, a new creature, through the preaching of the mystery revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:3–9).

Final Answer: Mark 16:16–18 Was for Israel, Not for the Church

Baptism was required under the gospel of the kingdom
Signs followed believers as proof to Israel
These were part of Israel’s prophetic program, not Paul’s mystery gospel
Today, we are saved by grace through faith alone, without baptism or signs

Key Verses to Study:

• Mark 16:16–18 – Baptism & signs under the kingdom gospel

• Acts 2:38 – Baptism for remission of sins

• 1 Corinthians 1:17 – Paul sent not to baptize

• Romans 11:13 – Paul: Apostle of the Gentiles

• Ephesians 3:2–9 – The mystery given to Paul

• 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 – The gospel of grace today

• 1 Corinthians 13:8 – Sign gifts shall cease

• 1 Corinthians 12:13 – Spiritual baptism into the Body

Conclusion:

Don’t confuse the gospel of the kingdom (with baptism and signs) with the gospel of grace (faith alone, no works, no signs).

Rightly divide the Word, and rejoice in the complete, finished work of Christ for your salvation — no signs required