What About the Thief on the Cross?
Once in a while, when the subject of baptism comes up in a discussion, the question is often asked, “If you have to be baptized to be saved, what about the thief on the cross?” This sounds like a valid question at first. After all, the Scriptures affirm that Jesus assured the thief on the cross that he would be saved (Lk. 23:43); and Jesus did not command him to be baptized into Him first. The argument follows, then, that if that man were saved without being baptized into Christ, then why would not the same be true for all men? In answering these questions let us consider some elementary facts.
[1] Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6).
[2] The thief lived and died under the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses), not the New Covenant (the Law of Christ, 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2). The church age would not begin for another month-and-a-half after the thief had died (Acts 1:1-3; 2:1-41).
[3] The only baptism in force at the time the thief was on the cross was that of John the Baptist (which was a baptism unto repentance, Acts 19:4). Christ’s baptism didn’t exist yet. The purpose of John’s baptism was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Lk. 1:17). While we cannot prove that the thief had been baptized into John’s baptism, neither can we prove that he wasn’t. Those who argue that he wasn’t baptized at all cannot prove their claim. With that said, however, we can know that the thief was in need of salvation on that cross (23:39-41).
[4] Christ did not command baptism in His name until AFTER He was raised from the dead (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). The thief on the cross died BEFORE Jesus was raised from the dead; which means he died BEFORE that commandment was given. Hence, the thief on the cross was not subject to Christ’s command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
In the secular field, there are many laws applicable to us today that were not applicable to our forefathers. For example, the right for the government to assess income tax was established by the passing of the 16th amendment to the constitution in 1913. Could not one argue, “Since my great- grandfather paid no income tax in 1912, then I don’t have to pay income tax today?” The I.R.S. would be quick to say, “That may be true of your great-grandfather, but the law under which YOU live demands payment of income taxes!”
Or think of this: President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office for an unprecedented four consecutive terms (dying during the fourth one). Yet since that time a law was passed that limits presidents to only two consecutive terms. Could a president today not argue, “Since F.D.R. could be president for four terms, then I can be president for four terms today?” Congress would be quick to point out to him, “That may be true of President Roosevelt, but the law under which YOU preside limits you to two terms!” So then, when one argues, “Since the thief on the cross didn’t have to be baptized into Christ, then neither do we,” they don’t know what they are talking about. Baptism into Christ is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). It washes away our sins (22:16). We cannot “walk in newness of life” (be born again) until we are baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-5). In short, the apostle Peter said, “baptism saves” (1 Pet. 3:21). The thief on the cross may have been saved without Christ’s baptism when he was under the Old Covenant, but the New Covenant under which YOU live demands baptism for the remission of sins! Friends, have you obeyed this?
Aaron Veyon
