Baptism - the thief on the cross -He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved?

Question

How did the thief gain entry to heaven when he was not baptised

Sorry - I'm back - There is so much I need answered

Legalism? Sorry you have lost me there

Answer 1

Jesus himself let him in.

(Luke 23) 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

If you are asking wether Jesus himself commanded baptism as manditory for salvation I tend to agree with the study at this website:

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/baptism.php

Answer 2

The thief on the cross lived in a time when the Law of Moses was in effect. He died before Jesus rose from the dead to establish the New Law (the New Testament) and before Jesus gave the command about baptism (Mark 16:16). We now live in subjection to the New Testament. The thief could not have obeyed a form of baptism that had not yet been commanded.

Secondly, the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism now represents (Romans 6:3-4) had not completely occurred at the time the thief died.

Third, the thief was in direct contact with Christ at his death and was able to make his appeal directly to him for forgiveness. We are not in that position. Through baptism, we contact Christ's death (where his saving blood was shed)(Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12). Baptism is our appeal for a good conscience. That is why 1 Peter 3:21 says baptism "now saves".

Notice this verse: " baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21 NASB)

Without baptism today, we have not contacted Christ's death (saving blood). This is why baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16) and is "for the remission of sins" (KJV), "to remission of sins" (YLT), "unto the remission of your sins" (ASV), or "so that your sins will be forgiven" (CEV) (Acts 2:38).

Jesus commanded baptism, and obedience to him is necessary for salvation (Heb. 5:9)

Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)

Some say you believe, are saved and then baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.

What would Jesus have said if he had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"?

I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said! I believe what Jesus said. I believe Jesus! "He that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

Answer 3

How do you know that he was not baptized? It doesn't specify, and Jesus Christ would certainly have known. Since the thief was being crucified beside Jesus, the chances are very good that he was a Jew who would have already known about baptism, and probably would have been baptized as a child.

Jesus Christ told Nicodemus that "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This meant that everyone had to be baptized.

Jesus does not make exceptions for anyone, He makes a way to accomplish what He has commanded. He specifically showed the way by being baptized Himself.

Answer 4

Baptism is not a requirement for salvation. It follows salvation- it is an outward expression of an inward change. The thief gained entrance to heaven because He asked Jesus to forgive Him-and Jesus died for that man just like the rest of us sinners. When we ask Him, He forgives immediately and we have new life in Christ- even if it is just for a moment before death or years. I was baptized , however it is after my salvation probably by a couple of years.

Answer 5

Baptism is not a requirement for salvation. Baptism is a outward statement of an inner change. The rest of Mark 16:16 that you quoted says "but whoever does not believe will be condemned." No where does it say whoever is not baptized will be condemned.

Once one has accepted Christ (believes) one should be baptized, but if you are on your death bed (or cross in the case of the theif) your spot in heaven is still assured because the only requirement to get there is that one believes that Jesus Christ is the virgin born, son of God who died for our sins and accepts Him as lord and savior.

Answer 6

There are a few passages in The Scripture which give the impression that baptism is necessary for salvation. There are multitudes of others that clearly state that belief in Christ and repentance are sufficient. The greater weight of the evidence is that to place a condition (such as having water available) for baptism before a person could be right with God is ridiculous. "For by grace are you saved through faith" is clear enough. Get answers by studying the Scripture. Dont just take one verse but take them all in context.

Answer 7

First of all, How do you know that the Thief on the Cross was not at one point in his life baptized? He could of been a lost Sheep that sinned?

Second the man on the cross excepted Jesus as his Savior and was Baptized in the Spirit.

Answer 8

This is what is known as the death bed repentence, He did not have the time before his death to be baptized, Therefore God knowing his heart, accepted him, Now as far as someone that has repented & has a life to live, they are required to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And also Mark says he that believeth & is baptized shall be saved, You have to see when Mark said this the plan of salvation was in force, But on the cross the complete plan wa not yet finished, It took the death, burieral & ressurection of Jesus Christ to start the complete plan of salvation.

Answer 9

I just asked my pastor about this question - somewhat similar anyhow. i asked about having my kids baptized and said that my mom was worried about them not having this done yet and she was afraid they couldn't get into heaven if it wasn't done. he said that isnt the case. being baptized doesn't get you in or keep you out if you wasn't baptized. it may vary by your religion, since different religions believe differently and interpret the Bible differently. It's kinda rough to get into religion on here. its a very debative subject.
as far as a thief getting into heaven - look at why you believe Jesus died on the cross. why did he do that? if you believe John 3:16 - sins are forgiven, so the thief was forgiven for his sins, if he believed in God.
if you have a lot of religious questions - i would suggest you talk to your church 'advisor' (rev, pastor, father, whatever it may be) or an elder within, that way you are getting answers from people with your same beliefs.

Answer 10

There are two answers to your question that go together. First of all it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that saves a person not the outward ceremony that symbolizes the inward regeneration.

John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Romans 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Secondly, the thief like the OT saints was saved by faith in Jesus.

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Answer 11

You are wrong. Christ said Paradise! Where does the KJV say Christ was part of the next three days? Hell, right!

What does John 3:13 say? That was written ca 96CE. And John said there that nobody but he that descended had ascended to heaven.

From this and more, we understand for a FACT that the evildoer next to Christ did not go to heaven. Thus the accurate translation of that scripture is as follows:
Luke 23:43 And he said to him: "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise. (NW)

Not everybody shall receive the heavenly resurrection. That resurrection, the Bible teaches does not begin until Christ's second coming (parousia) presence. The second resurrection is even later.

See these links:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Resurrection-When-f-.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/God-h-s-Kingdom.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/Christ%5C-h-s-Presence.htm
(last link is a multi-page discussion)