Hiding Behind The Thief

Written by

Christopher Mentzer

A couple months ago I had an exchange with a man who believed in the “Faith Only” doctrine and touted the Sinner’s Prayer as the means to be saved. Here’s his final post:

Keith wrote: If baptism is required for salvation, then Jesus lied, and the thief on the cross is in Hell. What if one receives Christ as Savior, but dies on the way to their baptism? What of all the people who have received Christ as Savior on their deathbeds? I certainly hope there was a Pastor there with a bowl of Holy water, or by your standards, they're in Hell too.

The concept of salvation you hold is not only blasphemous, it's foolish and dangerous. If you believe you have to be baptized, then your faith is in vain because you're not relying solely on Christ's sacrificial death to provide your salvation.

Notice his first sentence. He states that Jesus is a liar and the thief on the cross is in Hell. He’s referring, of course, to one of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus; the thief who repented of his sins (Lk. 23: 39-46). Let’s look at verses 40-43, “But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41."And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42.Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43.And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Here we see the one thief admit of his guilt and that they got what they deserved and the asked Jesus to remember him which is the same as asking for forgiveness. Jesus did just that.

Now this comes before Jesus’ death. The next question to ask is when did Jesus command us to be baptized? In Matt. 28: 18-19, Jesus makes this statement after he was resurrected, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19."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.” Since His command to be baptized came after Jesus was resurrected then what of the thief? Is he saved as well or in Hell as Keith stated?

Since Jesus was still alive when He talked to the thief, they were still under the Old Law, the Law of Moses and the New Law; the Law of Christ didn’t go into effect. The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians, “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Paul is referring to the Old Law, which was done away with when Jesus died. Since Jesus was still alive when He forgave the thief, the thief is still saved and in paradise as Jesus stated.

Baptism was never part of the Law of Moses. It is, though a part of the Law of Christ. At the conclusion of the first gospel sermon, the Jews listening to Peter asked, “What shall we do?” Peter responded in Acts 2: 38, “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.”

Those in the Old Testament who did not even know Jesus but walked in the ways of God are saved without baptism also. All too often people want to “Hide behind the thief” as an example of “faith only” and not needing baptism. Since we are under the Law of Christ today, baptism is essential to salvation.

I’ve never said baptism is the only requirement though some would believe that I talk that way. I merely emphasize baptism because too many out there do not think it’s essential. If you truly want to become a child of God, here’s what you need to do:

Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17)

Believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8: 24)

Confess Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10: 9-10)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2: 38)

Become baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)

Addendum: A brother in Christ mentioned to me that the thief may have been previously baptized by John The Baptist and then became a backslider. Although the scriptures don’t say he did, they also don’t say he didn’t.