Mark 16:16 – Does Jesus teach that water baptism is an element of salvation?

If one studies…you will know that Messiah never teaches an alternative to repentance and “faith” as key to salvation…”belief” in Messiah by faith is what engenders covenant with the Father (John 3). For instance, many legalists, charasmatic deceived, quote Mark 16:16 as a proof text that Jesus espoused water baptism as an element of salvation.

16 “The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 (NASB)

First of all, Mark 16:9-20 is questionable as “inspired” Scripture as it’s not found in early manuscripts but was probably added by a scribe as a conclusion to Mark’s rather abrupt ending and it is believed the scribe never intended it be included in the Scriptures but placed it as a subtext or addendum; this is why better translations bracket [ ] vs 9-20 with a margin note that states,

Mark 16:9 Later mss add vv 9-20

Mark 16:20 A few late mss and ancient versions contain this paragraph, usually after v 8; a few have it at the end of the ch

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Second, Mark 16:16 does not teach water baptism as an element of salvation as Jesus said that he who “believes” and is baptized will be saved; this is a true statement, he who “believes and is baptized” will be saved but Jesus clarifies what the element of salvation actually is in part “b” of the Scripture… “but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Those who use Mark 16:16 in an effort to prove water baptism saves are guilty of the Negative Inference Fallacy.

Nothing supplements the sinless blood of Jesus as the initiator of covenant with the Father by faith. Water baptism is commanded for the believer, the redeemed in Jesus and is an act of obedience that follows salvation by faith in Jesus as Messiah.