Marcos 16:16

This is a verse that some people believe teaches the necessity of water baptism for salvation. However Christian baptism elsewhere in the New Testament is always an outward confession of belief in Jesus Christ. This verse also regards baptism as such. The second part of the verse clearly teaches that unbelief results in condemnation (cf. Mark 9:43-48), not unbelief and failure to undergo baptism. In the first part of the verse, one article governs both participles: has believed and has been baptized (NASB) or believes and is baptized (NIV). This indicates the close relationship between believing and being baptized. However they are not inseparable (cf. Romans 3:21-28; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is not a condition for salvation, but it is an important step of obedience for a believing disciple.