A few questions have been asked… How did the thief on the cross get saved without being baptized? How did the thief on the cross get saved without being baptized? How did Cornelius get saved before he was baptized with water? How did Cornelius get saved before he was baptized with water? Why did Paul say that the Lord did not send him to baptize but to preach the Gospel? Why did Paul say that the Lord did not send him to baptize but to preach the Gospel?

“How did the thief on the cross get saved without being baptized?” - Luke 23:39-43

The concerns that some have… The thief on the cross was not baptized… The thief on the cross was not baptized… But the thief was saved… But the thief was saved… So therefore, baptism must not really be essential to salvation! So therefore, baptism must not really be essential to salvation! – That is what many people conclude. – But is that what we should conclude without prayerful study & meditation?

While on Earth; Jesus had the authority to forgive sins… The man who was paralyzed - Luke 5:18-26 The man who was paralyzed - Luke 5:18-26 The woman who was a known sinner - Luke 7:36-50 The woman who was a known sinner - Luke 7:36-50 Jesus clearly offered the thief on the cross salvation – Luke 23:39-43 Jesus clearly offered the thief on the cross salvation – Luke 23:39-43

The thief was saved before baptism was ever even commanded by Jesus Jesus commanded baptism after he died - Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16: – Baptism into His death - Romans 6:3-4 – How could the thief have been baptized into Jesus' death, when Jesus had not yet died?

There was the baptism of John… Baptism of John - Mark 1:4-5 Baptism of John - Mark 1:4-5 – To prepare people for the coming of Christ – Replaced by the baptism into Christ and His death – Acts 19:4-5

The thief on the cross was saved before the new covenant began… Old Covenant Old Covenant – Between God and the children of Israel – Exodus 19:4-8; Deuteronomy 5:2-3 – Came to an end when Jesus died on the cross - Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:14

The thief on the cross was saved before the new covenant began… New Covenant - Hebrews 8:6-7 New Covenant - Hebrews 8:6-7 – Of which Jesus spoke when He instituted the Lord's Supper – Mark 14:22-24 – Came into effect when Jesus died on the cross - Hebrews 9:15-17

Therefore, you and I now live under the new covenant... We must submit to Christ's authority as expressed after His death - Matthew 28:18-20 We must submit to Christ's authority as expressed after His death - Matthew 28:18-20 His apostles took the command to baptize others seriously - Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48 His apostles took the command to baptize others seriously - Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48

The thief's example is not applicable to the question of baptism... He died before Jesus declared the command to be baptized into His death. He died before Jesus declared the command to be baptized into His death. The thief lived under the old covenant, which did not require baptism into Christ! The thief lived under the old covenant, which did not require baptism into Christ! The example would be applicable if... The example would be applicable if... – You lived before the command to be baptized into Christ was given – You lived under the old covenant

“having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” Hebrews 5:9 “having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” Hebrews 5:9 Which one of Jesus’ commands do you want to omit and say are not necessary? Which one of Jesus’ commands do you want to omit and say are not necessary?