Category: Faith Only

ChatGPT and The Thief on the Cross

Question for ChatGPT:

If people use the penitent thief on the cross to say that people do not have to be baptized in water today to be saved, how would you respond?

ChatGPT said:

“If someone argues that the penitent thief on the cross proves that baptism is not necessary for salvation today, here are a few ways you could respond:

1. The Thief Lived Under the Old Covenant

  • The thief on the cross was saved before Jesus’ death and resurrection, meaning he was still under the Old Covenant (Hebrews 9:16-17).
… Read more

Questions About the Thief on the Cross

If you believe the account of the penitent thief on the cross being forgiven proves that people do not have to be baptized today to become saved, here are a few questions to consider:

1. Can it be proven that the thief had never been baptized to have his past sins forgiven? (see Matthew 3:2, 5-6; Mark 1:4; John 4:1-2).

2. Is it possible to sin after baptism? (see Acts 8:12-ff).

3. Is it possible to be forgiven of sins committed after baptism?… Read more

The Thief on the Cross: Exposing the Erroneous Example

When it comes to the question “What must I do to be saved?,” some people object to the Biblical teaching of the essentiality of baptism for salvation. Quite often the person who objects to this requirement of God will say, “What about the thief on the cross? He was not baptized…” Please notice the following points regarding the forgiven thief on the cross:

Can one be so sure that the thief was never baptized? Multitudes had come to John from all surrounding areas to be baptized of him: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan…” (Matthew 3:5, 6).… Read more