SCRIPTURE AND OPINION? by steve finnell

When salvation is in question should the answer be from Scripture or man's opinion of Scripture? Interpretation is essential, that is why it should be a honest effort.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: He who believes is already saved and should be baptized as a testimony of their faith.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: He who believes, on their deathbed, can be saved without water baptism if they die before they have time to be baptized.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: You do not have to be baptized in order to be saved because some scholars do not believe Mark 16:16 is the inspired word of God.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: You do not have to be baptized while you are alive in order to be saved; because someone can be baptized for you after your death.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: Our denomination teaches baptism is not essential to salvation so we do not believe nor teach Mark 16:16. Man-made doctrine invalidates all Scripture.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: Seeing that Mark 16:16 does not say he who is not baptized will be lost, then water baptism is not a requirement for salvation.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (The Better Version of The New Testament by Chester Estes)

OPINION OF MARK 16:16:  He who has believed and been sprinkled, poured, or immersed will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: He who has believed and has been spiritually baptized will be saved, but he does not believe will be condemned.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: He who was baptized as an infant had his sins washed away, and should believe at some point in the future.

OPINION OF MARK 16:16: He who believes is saved, however, water baptism is a work of the law of Moses, or a good work, or a good deed, or earning your salvation, or a work that cannot be explained, and works cannot save.

It comes to two choices, choose to believe what Jesus said in Mark 16:16 or believe man's opinion about Mark 16:16.