1. Thief
The
On the Cross
Most Popular thief in the world

2. Thief The On the Cross Luke 23:39-43
Jesus was crucified between two thieves
Both mocked him - Mt.27:39-44
One asked to be remembered - v. 42
Today shalt thou be with me in paradise V. 43

3. Thief What did the thief ask ?
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
Many thought it would be an earthly kingdom
Did he understand it to be a spiritual kingdom?
Probably thought Christ would come down from cross
When you save yourself, save me

4. Thief What does Paradise mean ? Does not mean heaven - John 20:17
He was in Hades - Acts 2:27 and 31
“His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.”
Hades - realm of disembodied spirits
Paradise = place where the righteous spirits remain

5. Hades
Jesus
Thief
Paradise
Rest
Gulf
Torment
Tartarus

6. Thief What did Christ’s answer mean ?
“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” Luke 23:43
Did not mean the grave
Souls would be together in paradise
Thief - stolen - SIN
“You are forgiven”

7. Thief Yes Was the thief saved ?
Jesus went into paradise after his death
He promised the thief would be there also

8. Thief Was the thief baptized ?
Not at this time while he was on the cross
He could have been baptized earlier !
John baptized multitudes - Matt. 3:5-6
He knew something about Christ & His Kingdom
He was probably a “Jew”

9. He lived under the Law of Moses
Thief
Not an example of conversion for us
The
He lived under the Law of Moses
Col. 2: law of Moses - “Nailing it to his cross”
Gal. 4:4 “born under the law”
both lived and died under the Law of Moses
Heb. 9:15-17
“For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.”

10. He lived under the Law of Moses
Thief
Not an example of conversion for us
The
He lived under the Law of Moses
Before his death Jesus could save the thief
While living the testator can change his will
Examples
“thy sins be forgiven” Luke 7:48
Zacchaeus - Luke 19:9
Man with Palsy - Mark 2:5

11. After the Death of Christ The Last will and Testament
Thief
Not an example of conversion for us
The
After the Death of Christ
The Last will and Testament
Cannot be changed
“He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” Heb. 10:9-10
First = Law of Moses
Second = Law of Christ

12. After the Death of Christ
Thief
Not an example of conversion for us
The
After the Death of Christ
He gave the Great commission - Mk.16:15-16 Mt.28:19-20
Terms of salvation revealed
Pentecost -
Acts 2: Repent + Baptism
Acts 2: ,000 were baptized
If the thief had been living on Pentecost he would have been baptized for the remission of his sins.

13. Line of reasoning
If the thief went to heaven without being baptized then I can go to heaven without being baptized.
If Enoch went to heaven without dying then I can go to heaven without dying. - Gen. 5:24
If Elijah was translated and went to heaven without dying then I can be translated and go to heaven without dying.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Heb. 9:27

14. Thief
The
On the Cross
Is not an example for us to follow in becoming a Christian

15. What Must I Do To be Saved ?
In Christ = SAVED
What Must I Do
To be Saved ?
Baptized - Gal.3:27
Confess - Rom.10:10
Repent - Luke13:3
Believe - John8:24
Hear - Rom.10:17

16. Thief The On the Cross If we try to be saved like the first thief,
There were two thieves
First one was saved
Second one was lost
If we try to be saved like the first thief,
then we will be lost like the second one.

17. Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga
Sunday Morning Mar. 13, 2011