The Thief on the Cross

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<h1>The Thief on the Cross</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Steve-0.aspx'>Steve-0</a></strong><br /><p>The Thief on the Cross Christ said that "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16). Peter preached that baptism is necessary for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and that baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21). Paul wrote that as many were baptized into Christ put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Yet despite this precedent, adherents of a belief known as "faith only" argue that baptism is necessary neither for salvation nor for the remission of sins. Max Lucado falsely uses this argument in many of his sermons. Opponents of the necessity of water baptism like to point to the example of the thief on the cross. They argue that the thief was saved even though he was not baptized; therefore, we can be saved without baptism today. Their reliance on this example is, however, misguided. Let's consider the facts. The story of the thief on the cross is told in Luke chapter 23: 23:33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 23:39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 23:41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Opponents to water baptism argue that the thief on the cross was not baptized, therefore we do not have to be baptized today either. However, consider this: No one can prove that the thief was not baptized. No where in the text does the Bible indicate whether the thief was baptized. In fact, in all four gospels we are told that many people were baptized by John the Baptist before the thief was crucified. We know the thief recognized Jesus' innocence (Luke 23:41). We also know that he was aware of Jesus' kingdom (Luke 23:42). Thus, it is equally likely as not that the thief was baptized, but there is simply no way of knowing for certain because the text is silent on this point. Therefore, the "thief on the cross" argument must fail because the text fails to prove that the thief wasn't baptized. This does not imply that the thief was baptized, but rather demonstrates that because the text is silent as to whether he was baptized the text cannot be used to prove that baptism is not necessary today. Secondly, the thief did not live during the New Testament era, which began at Christ's death. The thief was subject to the law of Moses not the new covenant. Therefore, the thief did not have to be baptized because baptism was not required under the law of Moses. No one denies that the Holy Spirit plays a role in salvation under the new law. Yet John 7:39 indicates that the Holy Spirit would not come until after Christ's resurrection, which was after the thief on the cross died. 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Consider also Hebrews 9:16, 17: Heb 9:16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Heb 9:17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Thus, "baptism did not become essential to salvation until after the Resurrection; in fact, Christianity per se did not begin until after the Resurrection. Thus the thief on the cross was saved under the Jewish faith!" Thomas Lane, "The Thief on the Cross," Mission Messenger 123, 124 (1973). In addition to the arguments above, the thief on the cross is poor support for the argument against baptism because the proponents of faith only are seeking to make a general application of a specific case (that pre-dates the current dispensation). Consider the case of the young man with great possessions (Mattew 19:16). Here the young man asked Christ, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Mattew 19:16) Jesus answered ultimately, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matt. 19:21). Can anyone deny that had the young man done as Christ instructed, he would have been saved? We know that Jesus had the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10-11). Is Jesus here offering us an alternative means of being saved that is applicable to each of us today? May we go to heaven simply by keeping the commandments outlined in verses 18, 19, and 21? Of course, not. But neither can anyone deny that had the young man done as Jesus instructed, he would have been saved. What is the lesson in this? You cannot always make a general application of a specific example. You must consider the context of the story to consider whether Jesus intended it to have a general application, you must consider the dispensational setting (i.e., Old Testament of New Testament), and your analysis must be consistent with all other passages of the Bible. From the start, "faith only" is inconsistent with Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-5, and Galatians 3:26-28 because it argues against the very thing - baptism - that these passages emphasize. There are many more verses that support baptism along with church history (from the Apostles time up until the Reformation period baptism by belief after repentance was seen as the only means of salvation), but are not include for the sake of time. As O.A. Burgess noted: "The answer to the whole objection is, that while Christ was on earth, he used his power to forgive sin, as his power to raise the dead, just as it seemed good in his own eyes; but, being about to depart from earth, never more in person to minister to the wants of men, he gave to his apostles a short and simple law, which should be equally applicable to the beggar and the prince, and in the acceptance of which all might be saved. This law he commanded them to preach in all the world, and this law contained the three terms, Faith, Repentance, and Immersion. If, therefore, any man or woman will inquire "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" let them consider for themselves how far their desire for salvation has already led them; if so far that they believe in Christ, let them repent; if so far that they have repented, let them be immersed; and let this be done according to Scripture example, immediately, that they may know they are pardoned, and be filled with joy and gladness. Moreover, let the servants of Christ, to whom such a momentous question may be addressed, consider well the occasion and surroundings, and, if like the jailer, there be an ignorance of Christ, let faith first be preached, but immerse, if need be, the same hour of the night; if like the three thousand, they already believe, preach repentance, and immerse the same day; but if like Paul, there be but one thing lacking, preach that one thing, and if the inquirer be as honest as Paul, he will be immersed straightway." Thus, in any and under all circumstances, when a sinner cries out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" the answer, in clear and explicit terms is always at hand: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of, and turn away from your sins, and be immersed into His holy name." Therefore, if someone comes to you and says that the thief on the cross proves that baptism for the remission of sins is not necessary for salvation, point out the following four things: 1) We do not know that the thief was not baptized. 2) The thief lived under the law of Moses, not the law of Christ. 3) Jesus had the power to forgive sins while on earth. 4) They are trying to use a specific instance during the former dispensational period to make a general application today. Never worry what religions say about salvation, rather apply the whole of God and let it fill your heart and rule your way. Jesus our example and Great High Priest was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, but He never prayed a Sinner's Prayer nor spoke in unknown tongues. This should show everyone the importance of baptism by immersion in His name. He who knew no sin did that act, and by doing so He applied all things to His life that we must also do for ours. Is that plain enough? </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />Wikipedia, King James Bible, Encyclopedia, Catholic Church, Google, Living Pulpit, Torah<p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The-Thief-on-the-Cross_79067.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Thief on the Cross_79067.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : thief, cross, sins, remission, forgiveness, baptized, unknown, tongues, Sinner's Prayer, power, name, holy, blessed, must, do, all, things, li,

Category : Society : Religion