THIEF ON THE CROSS

The Thief on the Cross

Christ said that "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk. 16:16). Peter
preached that baptism is necessary for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and that baptism
saves us (1 Peter 3:21). Paul wrote that as many were baptized into Christ put on Christ
(Gal. 3:27). Yet despite this precedent, adherents of a belief known as "faith only" argue
that baptism is necessary neither for salvation nor the remission of sins.
Opponents of the necessity of water baptism like to point to the example of the thief on
the cross. They argue that the thief was saved even though he was not baptized; therefore,
we can be saved without baptism today. Their reliance on this example is, however,
misguided. Let's consider the facts.
The story of the thief on the cross is told in Luke chapter 23:33-43. And when they were
come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors,
one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do." And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the
people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, "He saved
others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God." And the soldiers also
mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, "If thou be the king
of the Jews, save thyself." And a superscription also was written over him in letters of
Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the
malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and
us." But the other answering rebuked him, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou
art in the same condemnation. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our
deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." And he 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."
Opponents to water baptism argue (or justify their actions by saying) that the thief on the
cross was not baptized, therefore we do not have to be baptized today either.
However, consider this: No one can prove that the thief was not baptized. No where in
the text does the Bible indicate whether the thief was baptized. In fact, in all four gospels
we are told that many people were baptized by John the Baptist before the thief was
crucified. We know the thief recognized Jesus' innocence (Luke 23:41). We also know
that he was aware of Jesus' kingdom (Luke 23:42). Thus, it is equally likely as not that
the thief was baptized, but there is simply no way of knowing for certain because the text
is silent on this point.
Therefore, the "thief on the cross" argument must fail because the text fails to prove that
the thief wasn't baptized. This does not imply that the thief was baptized, but rather
demonstrates that because the text is silent as to whether he was baptized the text cannot
be used to prove that baptism is not necessary today.
Secondly, the thief did not live during the New Testament era, which began at Christ's
death. The thief was subject to the law of Moses not the new covenant. Therefore, the
thief did not have to be baptized because baptism was not required under the law of
Moses.
No one denies that the Holy Spirit plays a role in salvation under the new law. Yet John
7:39 indicates that the Holy Spirit would not come until after Christ's resurrection, which
was after the thief on the cross died. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit,
whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given,
because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Consider also Hebrews 9:16-17: For where there is a testament, there must also of
necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since
it has no power at all while the testator lives.
Thus, "baptism did not become essential to salvation until after the Resurrection; in fact,
Christianity per se did not begin until after the Resurrection. Thus the thief on the cross
was saved under the Jewish faith!" Thomas Lane, "The Thief on the Cross," Mission
Messenger 123-124 (1973).
In addition to the arguments above, the thief on the cross is poor support for the argument
against baptism because the proponents of faith only are seeking to make a general
application of a specific case (that pre-dates the current dispensation).
Consider the case of the young man with great possessions (Matthew 19:16). Here the
young man asked Christ, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have
eternal life?" (Matthew 1916) Jesus answered ultimately, "If you want to be perfect, go,
sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow Me" (Matthew 19:21).
Can anyone deny that had the young man done as Christ instructed, he would have been
saved? We know that Jesus had the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10-11). Is Jesus here
offering us an alternative means of being saved that is applicable to each of us today?
May we go to heaven simply by keeping the commandments outlined in verses 18, 19,
and 21? Of course, not. But neither can anyone deny that had the young man done as
Jesus instructed, he would have been saved. What is the lesson in this? You cannot
always make a general application of a specific example. You must consider the context
of the story to consider whether Jesus intended it to have a general application, you must
consider the dispensational setting (i.e., Old Testament of New Testament), and your
analysis must be consistent with all other passages of the Bible. From the start, "faith
only" is inconsistent with Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, and Galatians 3:27
because it argues against the very thing - baptism - that these passages emphasize.
As O.A. Burgess noted:
"The answer to the whole objection is, that while Christ was on earth, he used his power
to forgive sin, as his power to raise the dead, just as it seemed good in his own eyes; but,
being about to depart from earth, never more in person to minister to the wants of men,
he gave to his apostles a short and simple law, which should be equally applicable to the
beggar and the prince, and in the acceptance of which all might be saved. This law he
commanded them to preach in all the world, and this law contained the three terms, Faith,
Repentance, and Immersion. If, therefore, any man or woman will inquire "Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?" let them consider for themselves how far their desire for salvation
has already led them; if so far that they believe in Christ, let them repent; if so far that
they have repented, let them be immersed; and let this be done according to Scripture
example, immediately, that they may know they are pardoned, and be filled with joy and
gladness. Moreover, let the servants of Christ, to whom such a momentous question may
be addressed, consider well the occasion and surroundings, and, if like the jailer, there be
an ignorance of Christ, let faith first be preached, but immerse, if need be, the same hour
of the night; if like the three thousand, they already believe, preach repentance, and
immerse the same day; but if like Paul, there be but one thing lacking, preach that one
thing, and if the inquirer be as honest as Paul, he will be immersed straightway."
"Thus, in any and under all circumstances, when a sinner cries out, "Sirs, what must I do
to be saved?" the answer, in clear and explicit terms, is always at hand: "Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, repent of, and turn away from, your sins, and be immersed into the
name (of Jesus, which is the only saving and commanded name unto salvation used
within the Scripture for baptism)."
Otis Asa Burgess, "What Must I do to be Saved?" The Living Pulpit 166, 181 (1868).
Therefore, if someone comes to you and says that the thief on the cross proves that
baptism for the remission of sins is not necessary for salvation, point out the following
four things:
We do not know that the thief was not baptized.
The thief lived under the law of Moses, not the law of Christ.
Jesus had the power to forgive sins while on earth.
They are trying to use a specific instance during the former dispensational period to make
a general application today.