Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).  Yet we find many who in one sentence, articulate allegiance with Jesus, but in another breath deny his word.  One clear example of this is found in the various teaching regarding salvation. 

Several are speaking about the salvation of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39-43.  We do not deny the thief’s salvation; however, we do deny the false teaching that has been circulated regarding him. Some reason as such:  Jesus was baptizing people before his death (John 3:22-26); he saved the thief on the cross without baptizing him; therefore, baptism is not essential for salvation.  If this reasoning holds water, why not reason as such:  Jesus went about saving people before he died and shed his blood (Luke 5:20, 21); he saved the thief before he died; therefore, his death and shed blood are not essential to salvation?  Any honest person can see the point and the absurdity of such reasoning.

We must recognize that the thief died under the Old Testament law and that Jesus’ New Testament would only come into effect after he died.  “For 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. . .” (Heb. 9:16, 17).  The thief died under the Old Testament but we live under the New Testament today.  Here is the point. To safeguard against flawed reasoning we must consider everything the Bible says on a given subject. 

The Bible’s teaching on salvation is:

·         Hear the gospel (Romans 10:14-17)

·         Believe the gospel (John 3:16; Romans 10:11)

·         Repent of sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30).

·         Confess Christ: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).  Note: the thief on the cross could neither believe nor confess this verse!

·         Be Baptized: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. . .” (Mark 16:16; cf. Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

·         Remain faithful to the Lord (Rev. 2:10).