When studying the necessity of baptism with some members of particular denominations, a common response is to bring up the "thief on the cross." They often ask, "What about the thief on the cross? He wasn't baptized, was he?" The implication is that if the thief on the cross was not baptized, yet was promised by Jesus to be in paradise, then we do not need to be baptized. Does the thief on the cross prove that baptism is not necessary for salvation? Let us consider this incident as it relates to salvation.

The Setting

The dialogue between Jesus and the thief on the cross occurred while the Savior was being crucified (Lk. 23:39-43). There were two criminals that were crucified with Jesus on that dreadful day (Jn. 19:16-18). At first, both criminals blasphemed (Mt. 27:44; Mk. 15:32). However, one of them had a change of heart. Before considering him, note what Luke says of the other, "And one of the malefactors [criminals, NKJ] which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (Lk. 23:39). "Railed [blaspheme, NKJ]" means to speak against (Mk. 3:28-29; Jn. 10:36; Acts 13:45; 1 Cor. 4:13, "defamed"). "If thou be the Christ..." was said in sarcasm just as others who passed by the cross had said (Mt. 27:39-44). In contrast to this, the other criminal "answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss" (Lk. 23:40-41). This criminal shows a penitent heart. "Dost thou not fear God?" shows that this criminal recognizes that there is a God. This may possibly even be recognition by this one that Jesus is God (cf. Jn. 1:1-3)! This penitent criminal acknowledges that he and the other criminal are justly receiving their death sentence (cf. Acts 25:11). He also recognizes the innocence of Jesus.

Having rebuked the other criminal, the thief on the cross "said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Lk. 23:42). "Remember me" here carries the idea, "Remember me for good"! "When thou comest into thy kingdom" shows that this criminal was aware of Jesus' claim to establish His kingdom (cf. Mt. 16:18-19). This could indicate that he was a Jew, even a disciple of John, who heard of Jesus' preaching and teaching (Mk. 1:15), or it could be that he was a Gentile, aware of the accusations hurled at Jesus (Lk. 23:10-11), His response (Jn. 18:33-37), the mockery with which they led Him to the cross (Mt. 27:27-31), and the sign placed on Jesus' cross (Jn. 19:19). In either case, this thief knew that death was not the end and wanted to be remembered in the afterlife.

Assuring the penitent thief on the cross, "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Lk. 23:43). "Today" means right now, as if to say, "You do not have to wait until the kingdom." "Paradise" is from a word of Persian background that literally meant "park" or "garden" (the only other occurrences of the word are in 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). Jesus assures this criminal the bliss that will be associated "with me [Jesus] in paradise."

The Solution

Does the thief on the cross prove that baptism is not necessary for salvation? In answering this question, three factors must be considered. First, consider the chronology. This incident happened while Jesus was dying on the cross. Jesus did not require baptism for all until after His resurrection (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). Jesus lived and died under Old Testament law (Gal. 4:4-5). His New Testament did not go into effect until after His death. The Hebrews writer summarizes: "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth" (Heb. 9:16-17). Thus, the thief on the cross was not amenable to the command, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

Second, consider the thief. As mentioned earlier, the possibility exists that he could have been a disciple of John, thus receiving John's baptism (Mt. 3:1-6). It is possible for God's people to become criminals (1 Pet. 4:15). Whether or not he was a disciple of John, however, one truth is clear: he showed repentance, which has always been a condition of forgiveness (cf. Isa. 55:7; Ezk. 18:21; Jonah 3:4-10; Ps. 34:18; Lk. 13:3, 5)!

Third, consider the complete impartiality of Jesus. People will often say concerning this incident, "Jesus can forgive anybody He wants," as if to say that Jesus could arbitrarily forgive the thief because He was the Son of God. Such an idea is blatantly false and borders on Calvinism! Jesus cannot act independently of the Father's will (Jn. 5:19; 7:16; 8:28; 12:49 cf. Mt. 20:23) or deny His own word (2 Tim. 2:13). For Jesus to arbitrarily forgive the thief would make Him a "respecter of persons," but He is not (Acts 10:34)!

Salvation

The thief on the cross is a tremendous example of the forgiveness of God. Even a criminal like him can be forgiven when God's conditions of forgiveness are met (cf. Saul of Tarsus, 1 Tim. 12-15). However, the thief on the cross is not our pattern of salvation today. He lived and died under Old Testament law. One condition that is common between the thief's salvation and ours is the necessity of repentance (Acts 17:30), which must be based on "godly sorrow" (2 Cor. 7:10). Jesus gave the requirement of baptism after His death as part of New Testament law (Mk. 16:15-16 cf. Acts 10:48). Thus, if one outside of Christ is truly penitent, one will be baptized when he or she learns that God requires it (Mt. 28:19-20). Peter's response to those penitent Jews on the Day of Pentecost who asked, "What shall we do?," was, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). A few verses later, Luke writes, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). Could these people truly have repented if they did not "gladly receive" God's word to be baptized? May we follow the thief's example of repentance, and then do what Jesus requires. Have we been baptized for the remission of sins? If not, why not today?