Mark 16:16 States That He Who Who Does Not Believe Will Be Condemned. It Does Not Say Does Not Believe And Is Baptized Will Be Condemned. Therefore, Water Baptism Is Not Essential For Salvation.
There is a reason why John Mark worded Mark 16:16 the way he did. If someone is not going to believe the gospel of Christ (John 3:16; 3:36 - notice in this text it states that he who does not believe is condemned already; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), then he/she is not going to comply with the terms that God has set forth in reference to how one is to be saved from sin. Furthermore, Jesus is not a liar (Hebrews 4:15). He did not state, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" and then contradict Himself in the second half of the verse and say "But all you have to do is believe in order to avoid being condemned."
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