What About the Thief on the Cross?

One of the most common questions raised when we teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins is, “What about the thief on the cross?” Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Some conclude from this that baptism cannot be necessary for salvation. But the thief on the cross does not contradict what the New Testament teaches about baptism.

First, we must understand when the thief lived and under what law he died. The thief lived and died before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus had been completed. Jesus was still living under the Old Testament period. Hebrews 9:16-17 says, “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, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” The New Testament had not yet gone into effect when Jesus spoke to the thief.

The command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins was given after Christ’s death and resurrection. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the first gospel sermon and commanded those who believed, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This was after Jesus had died, been buried, and risen from the dead. The thief could not have obeyed a command that had not yet been given in the New Testament covenant.

Second, the thief was not saved under the same covenant and circumstances under which we live today. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had authority to forgive sins directly. Jesus said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matthew 9:2). He then demonstrated His authority by healing him. The thief’s forgiveness came directly from Jesus while Jesus was still on earth and before the New Testament covenant became effective.

Today, we do not receive forgiveness by asking Jesus to personally speak forgiveness to us as He did to the thief. We must obey the gospel that Christ commanded His apostles to preach. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter preached the same message in Acts 2.

The thief on the cross is therefore not an exception that removes the necessity of baptism. He lived and died before the New Testament command to be baptized for the remission of sins was established. We live after Christ’s death and resurrection, under His New Testament covenant, with His completed gospel revealed to us.

We should not use an exceptional circumstance from the Old Testament period to set aside a clear command given under the New Testament. The question is not, “What did Jesus tell the thief?” The question is, “What has Jesus commanded us to do?” The answer is clear: believe the gospel, repent of our sins, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 22:16).

The thief on the cross was saved by the grace and authority of Jesus. We are saved by that same grace when we obey the gospel Jesus has commanded under the New Testament. Rather than being an argument against baptism, the thief reminds us that we must rightly divide and understand the covenant, the time period, and the command God has given us.

God Bless