Outlines of Sermons Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. In order to illustrate this subject — consider — I. WHAT IS FAITH? 1. The real Christian believes the pure unadulterated gospel; the substance of which is, "God is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5, 19). The ground on which he believes, is the testimony of God (1 John 5:10). 2. The gospel which be thus believes he believes to be most important. It rouses his attention and calls all the powers of his soul to action. Like a man whose house is on fire, and is at his wit's end till he has found means to extinguish it — or like one who has a large estate depending, and uses every effort to get his title confirmed. 3. This belief in the gospel is accompanied with a cordial approbation of its gracious proposals. We have heard the gospel. Have we believed it? Have we received it in the love of it? Are our hearts and lives influenced by it? II. THE SALVATION PROMISED TO THEM THAT BELIEVE. Here a scene the most delightful and transporting opens to our view. A scene, the contemplation of which fills the Christian with admiration and wonder. 1. It is a salvation from moral evil. 2. From natural evil. 3. From penal evidences (Romans 3:25; Galatians 3:13). To these miseries are to be opposed the joys of heaven, but, oh! what tongue can describe (Psalm 16:11). III. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FAITH AND SALVATION. It is necessary in order to our being saved that we believe. 1. It is the Divine appointment (John 3:16; Mark 16:16). It is not a mere arbitrary command, but the result of infinite wisdom and goodness. 2. There is a fitness or suitableness in faith to the end of its appointment, so that the necessity arises out of the nature of things. The blessing of the gospel cannot be enjoyed without the medium of faith. Sin is atoned for — heaven opened — but the actual possession of the good thus procured is as necessary as a title to it. How is that good to be possessed without a suitable temper? How is this to be acquired but by believing? (Outlines of Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.WEB: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. |
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