The Thief On The Cross

David Eldridge

We read of the penitent thief crucified beside Jesus in Luke 23. He requested of Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (vs. 42). Jesus replied to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (vs. 43). Many flee to the “high water” mark to sit with this thief when it comes to the Bible subject of baptism. They reason that since the thief was not baptized and was granted eternal life they are exempt from this command as well. Let’s consider the thief on the cross.

The thief was not under the law of Christ. Christian baptism is required by the law of Christ. Many passages attest to this fact (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Peter 3:21, etc.). However, when was the Law of Moses taken out of the way, and Christ’s law established? Jesus took the Law of Moses, “…Out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). Furthermore, “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” (Hebrews 9:16-17). Obviously, Jesus’ law, His New Testament was not in effect until His death. He was still alive while speaking to the thief, hence the thief was not bound by the commandments given in Christ’s law, including Christian baptism. Since Christ has died and we are bound by his laws, we can not use the thief as a reason for not being baptized.

Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins. As God in the flesh Jesus could speak a man’s sins forgiven without any conditions placed upon them for that forgiveness. In Luke 5:20 He said to the one paralyzed, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” He affirms that He had this power in Luke 5:24. He said, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” It was within Jesus’ power to speak the thief’s sins forgiven. Unless you are hanging on a cross next to Jesus on earth, you cannot use the thief as justification for not being baptized for Jesus is not in the flesh to speak your sins forgiven.

Jesus once said, in reference to John, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22). We cannot let the exception become the rule! If the thief was saved without being baptized “what is that to you”? You must follow Christ and be baptized for it is most certainly commanded if you wish to have your sins forgiven.