The Thief on the Cross Luke 23:39-42

The Thief lived & died under a different law 1. A person lives and dies in accordance to the law they are under. A law not yet in affect has now power. It is only logical that a law not in affect is not one we have to submit to. The old law was still in affect at the time of Christ being on the cross and during his entire earthly ministry. He kept the law and fulfilled it.

The Thief lived & died under a different law “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17 The promise to the thief was made while both were still under the old law.

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. The great commission given by Christ that INCLUDED baptism wasn’t given until after His resurrection. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. 2. Christ would not speak the words of Mark 16:16 until 43 days after his statement to thief on the cross. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. 3. It wasn’t until 50 days after the scene on the cross that Peter would tell me what they needed to do in Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. 4. The statement on the cross was made years before (3 or 4) before Saul was told to wash away his sins in Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:16

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. 5. It was about 8 years before Cornelius and his household were baptized. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:48

The Thief died before Christ ever said “He who believes & is baptized. 6. It was about 30 years before Peter wrote that “baptism now saves us”. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 1. Since the establishment of the church it has been God who has placed every member into the Church. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 2. Every spiritual blessing is in the body of Christ, the church. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 2. Every spiritual blessing is in the body of Christ, the church. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 2. Every spiritual blessing is in the body of Christ, the church. a. Since salvation is a spiritual blessing then one must be a part of the church to be saved.

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 3. How does one get into the church were these spiritual blessings reside? Notice what Paul says in Galatians 3:26-27. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 3. How does one get into the church were these spiritual blessings reside? Galatians 3:26-27. Thus, the door to the church is baptism. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Romans 6:3

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 3. How does one get into the church were these spiritual blessings reside? Galatians 3:26-27. Thus, the door to the church is baptism. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

The church was not in existence when the thief was on the cross 3. How does one get into the church were these spiritual blessings reside? Galatians 3:26-27. Thus, the door to the church is baptism. b. The thief lived before the church was in existence thus he was an exception since the church was not yet in existence.

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. During the life of Christ on the earth He had the ability and authority to do certain things. But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Matthew 9:6

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. 2. While on the earth Christ dispensed blessings as was His will, or as He saw fit. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ Matthew 20:15

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. 3. Christ had the ability and the authority to forgive sins, perform miracles, and bestow his blessings as He saw fit. a. Many times in the N.T. it is clear that Christ new the hearts and minds of men.

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. Knowing the minds/thoughts of men: But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Matthew 9:4 17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. Luke 11:17

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. Knowing the hearts of men: 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, Luke 9:47 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. John 16:6

Christ could use His power as He chose during His lifetime. Jesus knew the mind/thoughts & their hearts. Therefore, it is fitting that He knew the heart and mind of the thief and saw fit to pardon him and grant him entrance into paradise. He is the righteous judge (2 Tim 4:8).

Conclusion 1. We have seen from the scriptures why we today cannot be redeemed without baptism. 2. What we have to ask ourselves is not how to answer the question about the thief on the cross, but why so many appeal to the thief on the cross. 3. We must understand that we must obey the law in which we are under. Today, we KNOW we are under the New Testament law, therefore we today cannot be saved unless we follow the commands found in the New Testament law.