Assumptions About the Thief On the Cross Luke

Assumptions About the Thief On the Cross Luke 23: 32 -43

Luke 23: 32 -37 “ 32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 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. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 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. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 2

Luke 23: 38 -43 “ 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 3

Introduction n This is one of the most popular thieves! n Many people want to be like this thief! n n n Saved that is! Often mentioned by those who deny the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins! To cite thief as an example, many make some unfounded and foolish assumptions and presumptions! Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 4

Most Assume He Was Not Baptized n He may or may not have been baptized by John or Jesus’ baptism n n The Bible does not reveal if he was or was not baptized n n Mark 1: 4 -5; John 4: 1 -3; Luke 7: 29 -30 When “faith only” proponents claim he was not baptized, I could claim he was on the same basis Conclusion: The thief cannot be used as an example of salvation by “faith only” Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 5

Most Assume He Was Under N. T. Law n N. T. not in force when the thief lived n n n Testator must be dead – Hebrews 9: 15 -17 Thief died under the O. T. – Colossians 2: 14 Great Commission efforts began after Christ died: n n n Matthew 28: 18 -20; Mark 16: 15 -16 Luke 24: 46 -49; Acts 1: 8 -2: 39 New Testament ratified after Jesus entered the “holy place” – Hebrews 9: 12 -15 Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 6

Most Assume He Was Under N. T. Law n Jesus had authority to forgive sins… § He forgave the man sick of the palsy – Matt. 9: 2 -8 § He justified the humble publican - Luke 18: 9 -14 § Taught the rich ruler on eternal life – Luke 18: 18 -25 n Why don’t any want to be saved like the rich ruler? n They would have to do something! n Salvation by “faith only” is the “do nothing” way! n n It is the easy way Not the “straight…narrow way” – Matthew 7: 13 -14 Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 7

“ 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, “And now why tarriest thou? and thy house. 32 And they spake unto arise, and be baptized, and wash him the word of the Lord, and to all that away thy sins, calling on the were in his house. 33 And he took them name of the Lord” - Acts 22: 16 the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” - Acts 16: 30 -33 “ 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” - John 3: 4 -5

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” - Acts 2: 38 “ 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers … 47…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Acts 2: 41 -47 Ashamed? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” - Mark 16: 16 “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” - Mark 8: 38

Many Assume The Example of The Thief is The Pattern Of Salvation For All Today! n It was not the pattern for those on the day of Pentecost n n Not the pattern for Paul n n Acts 8: 12 -16; 26 -40 Not the pattern for the Philippian jailer n n Acts 22: 16 Not the pattern for the Samaritans & the Eunuch n n Acts 2: 38 -46 Acts 16: 31 -34 Not the pattern for any saved in the book of Acts Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 11

Case Heard 3000 Jews Acts 2: 37 Believe Repent Confess Acts 2: 38 Baptism Acts 2: 38 Samaritans Acts 8: 12 Simon Acts 8: 13 Eunuch Acts 8: 37 Saul Acts 8: 38 Acts 22: 16 Cornelius Acts 10: 44 Lydia Acts 16: 14 Jailor Corinthians Acts 18: 8 Ephesians Acts 19: 5 Acts 10: 43 Acts 10: 48 Acts 16: 15 Acts 16: 31 -32 Acts 16: 33 Acts 18: 8 “…God is no respecter of persons…” - Acts 10: 34 -35 Acts 19: 5 12

Spiritual B Remission of sins - Ac Washing away sins - A Blood of Christ - Roma Become a New Creatu Put on Christ - Galatia Sanctified - Ephesians Cleansing - Ephesians A Child Of God - Gala Enter the Kingdom - J A Good Conscience The Church (Body) The Name of Christ - A Salvation - Mark 16: 16 (Eph 1: 3; Gal. 3: 27) “all spiritual blessings…in Christ” - “baptized int Alien wee Bet rit Sinner i p nds Sta All S tism and Bap ner s! ter ing Sin n Wa less B Alie The Blessings of God And Obedience

Conclusion n n I am thankful the thief was saved! We, who live under the “law of Christ” must be saved like others in Acts were saved! n n n We are subject to the great commission and the New Testament! Must obey the gospel of Christ! God is not a respecter of persons! n Acts 10: 34 -35 Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 14

Acts 10: 34 -35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 15

“…what shal. I we do? ” Acts 2: 37 n An alien sinner must… n n n An erring Child of God must… n n Hear the Gospel of Christ – John 5: 24 Believe on Christ – John 5: 24 Repent of their sins – Luke 13: 3, 5 Confess Christ – Matthew 10: 32 Be Baptized in water – Mark 16: 15 -16 “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” Matt. 17: 5 Repent and Pray – Acts 8: 22 Live “faithful unto death” n Revelation 2: 10 Assumptions About The Thief On The Cross 16