Category: Thief on the Cross

Why the Thief on the Cross is Not the Pattern for Salvation Today

  • The New Covenant was not yet in effect. It came into effect after Christ’s death (Heb. 9:15–17; Col. 2:14). The thief was forgiven under the Old Covenant, not the New Covenant of Christ. We now live under a different covenant with different conditions of forgiveness.
  • The Great Commission had not yet begun. Jesus had not yet commanded belief and baptism for the salvation of all nations (Mt. 28:19–20; Mk. 16:15–16).
  • Jesus still had authority on earth to forgive sins personally.
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ChatGPT and the “Deathbed Salvation” Objection to Water Baptism

Question for ChatGPT:

You have repeatedly stated that water baptism is necessary for salvation (based on Biblical teaching), and I agree, but what if someone argues that water baptism cannot be essential, because that would mean people on their “deathbeds” could not become saved?

ChatGPT said:

That’s a great question, and it’s a common objection. Here are a few ways to respond to the argument that water baptism cannot be essential for salvation because it would allegedly exclude people on their deathbeds from being saved:

1.… Read more

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).
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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