WELL, HOW ABOUT THE THIEF ON THE CROSS?
September 26, 2004 AM
Sermon Outline
LK 23:39-43
INTRO: When Jesus was crucified, two others were also executed. We do not know their names or their offenses. We do know that one of the men accepted the fact that his being crucified was the due reward for his deeds. To this man Jesus said those well known words, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. It is not uncommon, in studies about the necessity of baptism for salvation, to hear someone say, Well, what about the thief on the cross? I want to be save like the thief on the cross. This, of course, is said to suggest that since the thief was not baptized neither must we be. Is this the teaching of scripture? Is salvation like the thief on the cross possible?
I SOME THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW OR CONSIDER...
A. There is little doubt that the unnamed thief joined Jesus in paradise
1. that is, of course, what Jesus told him - Today ... in paradise
2. paradise is the place of a temporary state of the righteous dead
3. Lk 16:22,23 - a description of the hadean world ... and we know that Jesus was in hades between death and resurrection (Acts 2:27) ... so, paradise and Abrahams bosom must be synonymous
4. and if the thief is in paradise, he will ultimately be in heaven!
B. Could he have been baptized?
1. he may have been baptized by the baptism of John the Baptist
2. (now, remember, the desire to be saved like the thief is to be saved without baptism - thats the point of our discussion)
3. notice Mt 3:5,6 - there were certainly multitudes of people being baptized
4. further, Lk 7:30 - Johns baptism was, for that special time, required of people for righteousness sake (Mt 3:15)
C. Jesus certainly had the authority to forgive sins
1. Mt 9:2-6 - ...thy sins be forgiven thee
2. Lk 7:48 - Thy sins are forgiven
3. this was a unique time in human history - the Son of God walking among men - it has not, and will not, be duplicated
4. so, Jesus could forgive the thief - He had that authority
D. The thief lived and died before the worldwide commission of the gospel
1. Mk 16:15,16 with 19 - this simply did not apply to the thief
2. he lived and died in subjection to the Mosaic covenant
3. you and I are not subject to the law of Moses - we are subject to the law of Christ
4. Rom 7:4 - ...ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ..
II YOU AND I ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
A. Three accounts: Mt 28:18-20 - Mk 16:15,16 - Lk 24:46-49
1. words like all nations, believe, repent, baptize are very significant here
2. the apostles were to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came before they began the worldwide conquest of the gospel
3. note Acts 1:8 - they had marching orders - but wait until the coming of the Holy Spirit
B. Acts 2:1-4 - The day of the Holy Spirits coming!
1. all of this is well after the thief had died on his cross
2. none of this was relevant to his situation
3. but it is all relevant to your situation!
C. So, what else here is relevant to your situation? not that of the thief?
1. Acts 2:36-40 - this is in keeping with the commission!
2. Jesus was preached; people believed; people were told to repent; people were told to be baptized; people were promised remission of sins (salvation)
3. what happened? Acts 2:41 - believers were baptized
D. Was future preaching consistent with this pattern?
1. Acts 8:4,5,12 - indeed, it was!
2. if you read carefully the book of Acts, you will see this confirmed repeatedly
3. the circumstances of the penitent thief belonged to a previous covenant and situation ... what we read in the book of Acts is in keeping with the Lords departing words
CLOSE: Remember this. Baptism is into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3). Baptism is being clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27). Baptism is not something to be feared. It takes nothing away from faith ... indeed, baptism is obedient faith. Is baptism the next step you should take?
Cecil A. Hutson
26 September 2004