What About The Thief On The Cross?

Introduction. (Luke 23:32-33 & 39-43). Luke’s account of the thief on the cross.
     It is the responsibility of every child of God to try and lead those in the world unto obedience to the gospel. This involves obedience involves...


The Gospel Plan of Salvation:
  • Hearing the word of God - Romans 10:17
  • Believing that Jesus is the Son of God &
  • Confessing that belief before men - Romans 10:9,10
  • Turning from (or repenting) of our sins &
  • Being immersed in water for the remission of sins - Acts 2:38
  • Then abiding in God's word faithful unto death - John 8:31 & Revelation 2:10

    •      The world reject two elements of this scheme of redemption and argues that repentance and baptism are not necessary for salvation -- teaching that salvation is by faith alone. The example of the thief on the cross is put forth as a supposed proof of this false-doctrine.
         Tonight I'd like for us to examine this for ourselves asking the question, “What about the thief on the cross?”

    I. What Is Known About The Thief?

    1. Matthew’s Account (Matthew 27:38,44). We note here that originally both of the robbers reviled Jesus. This indicates to us that the thief described in Luke at some point had a change in his attitude while on the cross.
    2. Mark’s Account (Mark 15:27-28, 32). This parallels the account in Matthew, showing again that both men reviled Jesus at first.
    3. John’s Account (John 19:18,32). Their legs were broken (causing them to suffocate and die).

    II. What Is Not Known About The Thief?

    1. His past service to God. He demonstrates in Luke 23:40,41 a fear of God and an awareness of justice.
    2. His knowledge of the Christ (Matthew 3:5,6). John’s teaching was known throughout this entire region. Had this man followed John? Had he heard about Jesus? We simply do not know.
    3. Whether or not he had been baptized (John 4:1,2). It is unclear whether or not Jesus’ baptism (prior to His death) was a baptism of repentance, like that of John, or if it was a baptism into His death, looking ahead to what would happen. Either way, we simply do not know if the thief had received this baptism or not.

    III. What Is Clear From Scripture?

    1. The Thief died under the law of Moses not under the law of Christ. Jeremiah 31:31 had promised a New Covenant. Jesus brought this New Covenant. When was it in place? (Hebrews 9:16,17). Note: After the death of the Testator.
    2. Baptism is a requirement of the New Covenant (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:37,38).
    3. The thief died before the establishment of the church (Acts 2:1-4 & 38).
    4. Christ will save the church (Ephesians 5:23).
    5. Christ had authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2-6). This shows us that Jesus, as God in the flesh, had authority to choose whatever He wanted to require of people as a condition of their salvation.
    6. Unique instructions do not nullify general commands. Example: The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10: 17-22). Does this teach that to be saved we must all sell all of our possessions? If we would not apply this in the case of the the rich young ruler, why would we think that the example of the thief on the cross is any different?

    Conclusion. The account of the Thief on the Cross, does show us a beautiful example of the Lord’s mercy to sinners, but it does not teach us that baptism is unnecessary for salvation. Baptism and repentance are binding requirements of a person’s salvation. The account of the thief on the cross does not nullify what is taught throughout Scripture.

  • Repentance - (Acts 17:30,31; Acts 26:19,20).
  • Baptism - (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:26,27).