For those that believe that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Question

What about the thief on the cross? He wasn't baptised and he went to heaven.

Answer 1

First, we do not know if the thief was baptized or not earlier in his life.

Mark 1:5 says, "Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him (John the baptizer) in the Jordan River, confessing their sins." This would probably have been the area in which the thief lived.

Also, the disciples of Christ baptized more than John. (John 4:1-2)

Since the thief displayed knowledge about Christ and the coming kingdom, some conclude he may have been a former disciple of John, therefore he may have been baptized earlier.

You cannot dogmatically say either way, but lets assume (as you have already) that he was not baptized at any time.

Jesus gave the Great Commission and his commandment about baptism AFTER he had died and rose from the grave. (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20)

The thief on the cross lived under the Law of Moses. He lived and died BEFORE Jesus rose from the dead and gave the command about baptism.

He could not have obeyed a commandment that had not yet been given. He could not have been baptized according to the authority (instructions) of Christ, because Christ had not yet given those instructions.

Baptism is how we come into contact with Christ at His death. (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-13) The thief was there! He had direct contact with Christ at his death.

Since the thief had direct contact with Christ at his death, he was able to make a direct appeal for salvation. We are not in that position.

It is through baptism that we contact Christ's death and make our appeal. 1 Peter 3:21 says, "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." (Quoted from NASB)

What would Peter have said if he meant "baptism now saves you"?

Finally, the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism represents had not yet occurred at the time the thief lived. So, the thief could not have been obedient to this baptism.

It is like in the Old Testament, the Israelites were told to put blood on their doorposts each year to remember the Passover. There is no evidence that Abraham ever did this! Why? The event this was to remember had not occurred during Abraham’s life and the command to put blood on the doorpost had not yet been given. Abraham could not have obeyed instructions that had not been issued and he could not have remembered an event that had not yet happened.

The same with the thief on the cross! The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ had not been accomplished during the thief’s life. Likewise, the commandment to be “baptized into His death” and to rise from baptism “in the likeness of His resurrection” had not been issued until after the thief would have been dead.

But this command does apply to all who live after it was issued! Just like the people under the Law of Moses could not say that they don’t have to put blood on their doorpost because Abraham didn’t, we can’t say that the thief is proof that we don’t have to be baptized! The command Christ gave after His resurrection says otherwise!

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

Some say you believe, are saved, and then you shall be baptized. This is not the same 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 believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

Who do you believe?

Jesus commanded baptism. "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9)

If you say baptism is not necessary, you have said you can be saved without obeying Christ! Can someone be saved in a state of disobedience?

Is Jesus "Lord of your life" if you don't obey Him? Can you be saved if he is not Lord of your life?

He said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Again, we are not in the position the thief was in, having direct contact with at the time of his death. It is through baptism that we are "baptized into Christ", "baptized into His death" and we "rise to walk in newness of life". (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12-13) Can we be saved if we are not in Christ? Can we be saved if we have not contacted His death? Can we be saved if we have not been born again?

It is the saving blood that washes away our sins. (Romans 5:8-10, Revelation 1:5) This blood was shed and offered for our sins at Christ's death. How can we be cleansed by that blood if we have not contacted it? How can we contact it if we are not "baptized into His death" where the blood was shed?

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

Answer 2

He lived and died UNDER THE LAW.

Matthew 9:4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.

There were NO CHRISTIANS DURING JESUS' EARTHLY LIFE.

Matthew 11:11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Hebrews 9:16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.

Answer 3

Your Decision to Serve God

What must you do to become a friend of God? (1, 2)
How do you make your dedication to God? (1)
When should you be baptized? (2)
How can you gain the strength to stay faithful to God? (3)

1. To become a friend of God, you must obtain a good knowledge of Bible truth (1 Timothy 2:3, 4), put faith in the things you have learned (Hebrews 11:6), repent of your sins (Acts 17:30, 31), and turn around in your course of life. (Acts 3:19) Then your love for God should move you to dedicate yourself to him. This means that in a personal, private prayer you tell him that you are giving yourself to him to do his will.—Matthew 16:24; 22:37.

2. After you have made your dedication to God, you should be baptized. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Baptism lets everyone know that you have dedicated yourself to Jehovah. So baptism is only for those who are old enough to make a decision to serve God. When a person is baptized, his whole body should be put under the water momentarily.*—Mark 1:9, 10; Acts 8:36.

3. After you have made a dedication, Jehovah will expect you to live up to your promise. (Psalm 50:14; Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5) The Devil will try to stop you from serving Jehovah. (1 Peter 5:8) But draw close to God in prayer. (Philippians 4:6, 7) Study his Word each day. (Psalm 1:1-3) Stick close to the congregation. (Hebrews 13:17) By doing all of this, you will gain the strength to stay faithful to God. For all eternity you thus can do the things that God requires of you!

Answer 4

Baptism is a sign which although it is important it does not save. It points to the work of Christ which does save. It was Abraham who first bore the sign of Gods covenant and we read that he already had saving faith before he was given the sign.