Speaking the Truth in Love
Thief on the Cross
Intro.
A. In this lesson we will be studying about the most notorious
thief of history.
1. One might be thinking of Jesse James, Billy the kid, Bonnie
and Clyde, Dellinger, Alcapone, or some other.
B. However, the thief we want to consider is the one of some 2000
years ago, who is, really, the best known thief of all times -
the thief on the cross.
1. Any child of God who has ever engaged in a conversation
with denominational people on the Biblical subject of
conversion, has been asked, "What about the thief on the
Cross?"
a. Scriptures such as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet.
3:21 are all swept aside by this one question.
I. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL REGARDING THE THIEF ON THE CROSS?
A. Information about the thief is found in three of the four
Gospels. Matt. 27:38-44; Mark 15:27-32; Luke 23:33,39-43.
1. Luke's account relates to us the most information.
2. The fact that Christ was crucified between thieves was
indeed a fulfillment of prophecy.
a. Isaiah prophesied 700 years prior to the crucifixion.
Isa. 53:12
b. Christ said that all things written concerning Him were
to be fulfilled. Luke 24:44
c. At least 16 well-known prophecies were fulfilled during
the last 24 hours of Christ's life.
3. Matthew's account indicates that at first both the thieves
where engaged in reproaching Christ. Matt. 27:44
a. However, from Luke's account we see that one of the
thieves had a change of heart and made a plea to the
Lord. Luke 23:40-41
4. In response to the statement made to Christ by the thief in
verse 42, Christ responded with this statement in verse 43.
B. To what place were Jesus and the thief going on that day?
1. The original word that is translated "paradise" is defined
as: "That part of Hades which is thought to be the abode of
the souls of the pious until the resurrection." (Thayer).
2. In Acts 2:27,31, we read of Christ after His death going to
Hades, to the spirit World, the place where disembodied
spirits go."
a. According to Luke 16:19-31, "Hades" has three places:
(1) A place of comfort. This corresponds to Paradise.
(2) A place of torment. This corresponds to "Tartarus"
of 2 Pet. 2:4
(3) A great gulf (there is no passing from either place).
3. Thus, we conclude that when Christ went to Hades, He went
to Paradise.
a. On the day of Christ's death, the thief was going to
Paradise with Christ and the righteous of the ages.
II. LET US CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE ARGUMENT THAT IS MADE REGARDING THE
THIEF.
A. The argument, of course, that is often made regarding the
thief is: "I can be saved without being baptized because the
thief was saved without being baptized."
B. There are at least three false assumptions made regarding their
argument:
1. They assume that the thief was never baptized.
a. Matt. 3:5-6 - Please note the people who came to be
baptized.
b. Mark 1:4-5 - Note the additional "all."
c. John 4:1-3 - Note the fact that Jesus baptized more than
John.
(1) Our question is, "Couldn't the thief have been
among this number?"
(2) We are not affirming that the thief was among
them, only that he could have been.
(3) No one knows for sure whether or not the thief was
baptized; they "assume" that he wasn't.
(4) What is truly sad is that they are basing their
salvation on something which is assumed.
2. They assume they can be saved exactly like the thief.
a. For one to be saved exactly as the thief, he must be on a
cross along with the dying Savior, and have Jesus say to
him, "Today, you will be with Me in Paradise."
(1) Of course, Jesus is not here today, and such could
never be done.
b. While Jesus was alive on earth, He had the power to
dispense of His Spiritual blessings any way He saw fit.
(1) For example, Jesus often personally forgave sins.
(a) Mark 2:1-12 - The paralytic who was carried
by four others and let down through the roof.
(b) Luke 7:36-50 - The woman who washed Jesus' feet.
(c) Consider what Jesus said to the rich young
ruler. Mark 10:17-22
i) Jesus did not require the rich young ruler
to be baptized, at least, not at this time.
ii) Why don't people want to be saved like
the rich young ruler?
(2) The point is that Jesus, during His personal
ministry, granted God's blessings to several
individuals upon various conditions, and the thief
was one of them.
(3) What Jesus did for the thief, and various others, has
nothing to do with our salvation.
3. Thirdly, they assume they are under the same Law the thief
was under.
a. Under which Law was the thief while he was on the cross?
(1) Heb. 7:12 shows us that there was a change in the
Law.
(2) Heb. 9:16-17 tells us when Christ's Law went into
effect.
(3) Paul said in Romans 7:4 we have become dead to
the Law.
(4) We are now under the "everlasting covenant." Heb.
13:20
(a) God will not change the conditions of the
"everlasting covenant" to suit our needs.
b. In the light of this, what does the argument "the thief
was saved without being baptized" prove?
(1) Neither was Abraham, Moses, David, or any of the
O.T. prophets baptized.
c. The Law, the New Testament, of Jesus Christ that we
are now under, teaches that we must be baptized.
(1) With His own words, Jesus said - Mark 16:16.
(2) We must be baptized in order to receive remission
of sins, to have the new life, and to have a clear
conscience. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet.
3:21.
Concl.
A. It is very foolish indeed to base one's entire Salvation on the
assumption that one can be saved like the thief.
1. Prior to the death of Christ, the Old Law was still in
effect, but after His death, the New Law became binding upon
all men.
2. What we need to do is humbly obey from the heart what
Jesus has commanded us.
B. If one can make the argument, "I can be saved without being
baptized because the thief was saved without being baptized,"
why can't I argue:
1. "I can be saved without attending services, because the
thief never attended services."
2. "I can be saved without partaking of the Lord's Supper,
because the thief never partook of the Lord's Supper."
3. "I can be saved without giving on the first day of the week,
because the thief never gave on the first day of the week."
C. In every case in the N.T., one obeyed the command to be
baptized in order to become a child of God.
1. The question is, will I be like the Pharisees and Lawyers
who rejected John's baptism? Luke 7:30
2. Or, will I be as the early disciples who obeyed the Lord in
baptism? Gal. 3:26-27
Chart:
Three Unproved Assumptions:
1. They assume that the thief was never baptized.
2. They assume they can be saved exactly like the thief.
3. They assume they are under the same Law the thief was under.
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