The Minister’s Minute – November 2022
Mark 16: 16-17
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils: They shall speak with new tongues.
Verse 16 of the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Mark deals with something very important. Here Jesus is telling us that not only must we believe, but we must be baptized. Now he uses the word “baptized” and most people take that for a representation of a water baptism. Both John the Baptist and Jesus in all of the gospels let us know however, that there are two baptisms, one by water as John performed, and one by Fire as Jesus indicates is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus in verse 16 does not list both. His saying, “He that believeth and is baptized” means by both water in his name, and by fire through the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
In verse 17 he provides justification on who verse 16 actually refers to. Jesus tells us “And these signs shall follow them that believe”. He tells us that in His name we will cast out devils. Most people have issues with this part of the verse as they are unwilling to concede that devils still exist and or fill us in some way. The scripture tells us that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Jesus goes on to list the second justification, and that is that we will speak in new tongues. This two is another controversial justification because so many denominations have elected to forgo the practice of the spiritual baptism as vividly described in the second chapter of the book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost, the scripture records over 3120 people were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in new tongues.  In the tenth chapter of the book of Acts, a Roman Soldier and his whole family were baptized by the Holy Spirit and began speaking in new tongues. There are many examples that the Lord has provided which include both the infilling and the new tongues.
The Lord is very clear that not only must we believe, but we must be baptized both by water in his name, not a title, and by the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in new tongues. If you have any questions regarding these scriptures or God’s plan of Salvation, please contact us and we can assist you in understanding more scriptures like these. And God Bless.
