2. Satan twists the thief masterfully.
“If the thief wasn’t baptized, I don’t need to be.”
In the Gospels, many folks had salvation without baptism.
Paralytic: “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mk 2:5).
Zacchaeus: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (Lk 19:9).
Woman at Simon’s house: “I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much” (Lk 7:47).
Adulteress: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11).

3. Each of those folks needed to do more than believe.
Paralytic was a “teachable moment.”
Jesus demonstrated that He could forgive sins.
Therefore, the paralytic had to take up his bed and walk.
Zacchaeus and the adulteress needed repentance.
Zacchaeus promised restitution.
Jesus to adulteress: “Go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11).
Lady at Simon’s house demonstrated love to Jesus.

4. More than faith is necessary for salvation.

5. Luke 23:39-43

6. The penitent thief demonstrates his faith.
He confesses that he is sinful, but Jesus is not.
He understands that Jesus will soon have a kingdom.
He calls the Lord by name.
The thief did much that we do for salvation.
He had heard about Jesus.
He obviously believes.
He repents of sin.
He admits to sin; he and his fellow thief are dying justly.
He had blasphemed Jesus.
Matt 27:44.
He repents of that sin.

7. The penitent thief may/may not have been baptized.
Many were baptized before the thief went to the cross.
Mk 1:4-5.
The disciples of Jesus also baptized (Jn 4:1-3).

8. The thief could never have been saved in the same way we are.
Faith is indispensable for salvation.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).
That’s not the whole story.
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9).
1 Cor 15:1-4.

9. The penitent thief received salvation before the Old Testament was nullified.
Heb 9:15-17; Col 2:13-14.
Christian baptism was not commanded until after the Resurrection.
John the Baptizer baptized people “for the remission of sins” (Mk 1:4).
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, people could no longer be properly baptized with John’s baptism (Acts 19:1-5).

10. Christian baptism was commanded after Jesus’ death & resurrection.
Commanded in Jesus’ Great Commission (Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16).
Apostles proclaimed Christian baptism from Pentecost onward.
Peter at Pentecost: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Col 2:11-12.
“Baptism, which corresponds to this [the Flood], now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21).

11. Jesus forgave people as He chose while He walked this earth.
“The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (Matt 9:6).
However, now that Jesus has died, His will is in effect (Heb 9:16-17).

12. More than faith is necessary for salvation.

13. We need to be prepared for help people come to Jesus.
“Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet 3:15).

14. If you wish to be saved, you must give God more than faith for salvation.
We are saved by faith.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).
“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:8-9).

15. Repentance is also vital to salvation.
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3, 5).
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
Confession is vital to salvation.
Matt 10:32-33.
Rom 10:9-10.
Even baptism is vital to salvation.
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16).
“Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

16. Have you done what god requires for salvation?