The Doctrine of Faith Only Sola Fide – Justification is by Faith Alone There is nothing that can be done Fundamental of Protestant Theology “The thief on the cross is the classic example (of faith only). On the most meager evidence of his faith, Jesus told him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise". No sacrament or work was required for him to procure salvation” John MacArthur, Jesus Perspective on Sola Fide

Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

What Hope Did Jews Have Who Lived Before Christ They could be saved by Christ "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.”Luke 13:28

What Hope Did Jews Have Who Lived Before Christ Universally, Christ justifies by Faith Universally, Faith is demonstrated in works And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5:9 Hebrews 11: Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Joshua All had faith AND works

2. He had both Faith and Works We know Faith without Works is not Faith For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26 Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

2. He had both Faith and Works According to Luke: He believed in Jesus on the cross He repented of his sins He confessed Jesus as Lord before men Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

2. He had both Faith and Works Believing is a work Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.“ John 6:29 Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

2. He had both Faith and Works Believing is a work Confession is a work "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

2. He had both Faith and Works Believing is a work Confession is a work Repentance is a work “…… that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” Acts 26:20 Three Important Facts About The Thief on the Cross

His words reflected repentance His confession confirmed faith You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:24

It is IMPOSSIBLE to be saved by Faith Only But without faith it is impossible to please HimHebrews 11:6 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

The Judgment is for All Men For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 The Judgment is for All Men

"Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all…..” Jude 1:14-15 The Judgment is for All Men

The Thief will still see resurrection The Thief will still see judgment We presume that he has received the Grace of God through a “unique dispensation” The Judgment is for All Men

3. Unique dispensations But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”Matthew 9:6 The Judgment is for All Men

3. Unique dispensations She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.“ John 8:11 The Judgment is for All Men

3. Unique dispensations Lazarus – unique resurrection Road to Emmaus – unique faith Blind Man – unique healing The Judgment is for All Men

3. Unique dispensations Such were done as signs of authority These (works) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…. John 20:31 The Judgment is for All Men

To be “saved like the thief” requires: Being on a cross with Jesus Dying at a moment of two covenants Only one man ever had that hope Our hope is in the Gospel The Judgment is for All Men