Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 36:70 (Spring 2023)
Article: Mark 16: Unbelieving Believers And A Baptism Which Saves
Author: James F. Myers

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Mark 16: Unbelieving Believers And A Baptism Which Saves1

James F. Myers

JFM Ministries

I. Introduction

Advocates of baptismal regeneration and the continuation of sign gifts for the post-apostolic church often turn to Mark 16:16–20 for a proof text:

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.2

Those opposed to these two doctrines often dispute the authenticity of this proof text as a later addition by an editor, not Mark,3 or they ignore contextual data in interpreting Mark 16:16–20, thereby, missing its thrust. Regarding the latter, the most common approach is to deny the necessity of baptismal regeneration based upon the structure of the passage4 and to dismiss the continuation of sign gifts by citing

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dispensational distinctives. A simpler and more accurate approach emphasizes context. This article presents an alternative interpretation of Mark 16:16–20 based upon these contextual features of Mark 16.5

II. Disbelieving The Resurrection (Mark 16:1–14)

On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, His scattered disciples were hiding. Privately they mourned, weeping because they did not believe Jesus’ predictions that He would rise from the dead.6 As the hours passed, they continued to doubt that their Lord had risen from the tomb, despite eyewitness testimony.

A. The Women (Mark 16:1–8)

Early on the third day after the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and others came to...