The thief “said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” (Luke 23:42-43). These verses are taken to mean that baptism is not essential for salvation, and that we go straight to Heaven at death. Apart from all the other evidence to the contrary, a closer reading of the passage reveals the following:
1. The command to be baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection was given after Christ’s resurrection (Mark 16:15-16). The thief was still living under the Law of Moses when Christ spoke to him.
2. True baptism is into the death and resurrection of Jesus. Seeing that when Jesus spoke to the thief neither of those events had occurred, baptism into Christ was not possible.
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Author: Duncan Heaster
Keywords: Thief on the cross, Paradise
Bible reference(s): Luke 23:42-43, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 2:7
Source: Bible Basics.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.