Answering Doctrinal Questions (Part 5) Stan Crowley But 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 NKJV)

 Why do people seek to use the thief on the cross as a pattern for their salvation?  Why not choose Noah and build an ark: (Heb 11:7 NKJV) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  People do not want to do that. 11. What about the thief on the cross? 2

 Why not choose Abraham and attempt to sacrifice a child! (James 2:21 NKJV) Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  People CERTAINLY do not want to do that. 11. What about the thief on the cross? 3

 Why not choose the paralyzed (palsied) man?  He did nothing at all!! (Luke 5:18 NKJV) Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. (Luke 5:19 NKJV) And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. (Luke 5:20 NKJV) When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." 11. What about the thief on the cross? 4

 People cannot just arbitrarily choose the particular story they want to follow.  We cannot choose not to pay income tax because Abraham Lincoln did not pay income tax; tax laws have changed.  We have to find a valid precedent, not an arbitrarily chosen story.  The thief is not a valid precedent because he did not live under the same covenant that we live under. 11. What about the thief on the cross? 5

 The thief died before the plan of salvation under Christ’s New Testament was declared.  Christ’s will came into effect at His death: (Heb 9:15 NKJV) And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, … (Heb 9:17 NKJV) For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.  The thief lived and died under the Law of Moses. 11. What about the thief on the cross? 6

 Weeks after that thief died, Jesus plainly said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).  Ten days later, the apostle Peter began the preaching of exactly that: repentance and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 11. What about the thief on the cross? 7

 Specifics increase as the time nears: (Joel 2:32 NKJV) … whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, … (Luke 24:47 NKJV) "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Acts 2:38 NKJV) …"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; … (Acts 22:16 NKJV) … be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' 11. What about the thief on the cross? 8

 We want to answer clearly but kindly.  Those who follow the requirements we discussed earlier have become a Christian.  Those baptized believers can fail to be faithful if they [1] fail to practice the truth (e.g., in worship) or [2] by their actions or associations endorse doctrinal error. (2 John 1:9 NKJV) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 12. Are there faithful Christians in any of the denominations? 9

 SIMILAR QUESTION: Do you believe the Lord’s church can have fellowship with denominations?  Not in any way that compromises the distinctiveness and uniqueness of the Lord’s one true church or is seen as condoning error. (2 John 1:9 NKJV) … He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:10-11 NKJV) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 13. Is it scripturally permissible to participate in joint efforts with denominations? 10

 There is not time for such separate events. 14. Will there be a rapture of all the righteous before a period of tribulation occurs on earth? 11 Simultaneous Events From heaven Shout/voice Trumpet Resurrection of Christians Resurrection of others End of physical Judgment Reward Punishment See answer to Question 8.

 15. In torments … forever. 16. Conscious. (Luke 16:20 NKJV) "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (Luke 16:21 NKJV) "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Luke 16:22 NKJV) "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:23 NKJV) "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 15. Where will the lost be after Judgment? How long will they be there? When one dies, is he in a conscious state, or does he cease to exist?

(Luke 16:24 NKJV) "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' (Luke 16:25 NKJV) "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (Luke 16:26 NKJV) 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' 13

(Luke 16:27 NKJV) "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, (Luke 16:28 NKJV) 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' (Luke 16:29 NKJV) "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' (Luke 16:30 NKJV) "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' (Luke 16:31 NKJV) "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" 14