[AndrewC]

This passage may be dispensed, in my view, without discussion of baptism.

Well, the statement itself is provable(true) from other sources. Matthew directs us to preach the gospel(Mat 28:19). Belief is addressed in Luke 8:12.(though logically it would take more to derive the last statement in Mark 16:16) IOW If A and B then C does not directly implicate if not A then not C nor does If A then C directly implicate if not A then not C. But of course, If C then A does imply if not A then not C since it is the contrapositive.(If you are saved then you believe)

[Matchett-PI]

"Well, the statement itself is provable(true) from other sources. Matthew directs us to preach the gospel(Mat 28:19). Belief is addressed in Luke 8:12.(though logically it would take more to derive the last statement in Mark 16:16)

That's why he wrote this (see my link): "...Overall, the passage has the "distinct flavour of the second century" and appears to be a pastiche of material taken from other Gospels. ..."