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The Thief On The Cross Chapter Eleven what about the thief on the cross? Col 2:14-15 KJV “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross...” When Christ died on the cross He did away with the Old Testament method of receiving forgiveness. Heb 9:15-17 KJV “And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” The thief on the cross lived and received his promise under the First Testament. The second Testament and its method of forgivness was established after Jesus died. Further: Who is to say that the thief had never been baptized? Notice again all the baptisms going on in those three short years. Mk 1:5 “All of Jerusalem & Judea” were baptized Mt 3:5,6 “All around Jordan” (Five provinces) Lk 3:7 “Multitudes” baptized Jn 4:1 “Jesus baptized more than John...” Mark 16:16 NIV “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”. Some people suggest that the passage does not say, “Whoever does not get baptized will be condemned.” I think I have a touch of dyslexia. It has always been hard for me to dial phone numbers for I often get them out of order. I have noticed that I can have all the right numbers but get a couple out of order and the phone will not connect me to the other party. Jesus said, #1 believe. #2 be baptized and you will make connection, be saved #3. If one of these ingredients is left out or they are placed in the wrong order the formula will not work. Some would suggest that this verse is not in all Bibles therefore it should be ignored. True, it is not found in the three best manuscripts but it is found in 500 other manuscripts. It is in translations of the Bible as far back as the first century. The three best manuscripts are from the forth and fifth century. One of these “best” manuscripts, the “Vaticanius” leaves a space large enough to accommodate this passage. Quotes from the early church scholars show that this verse is a part of the original Bible. 1 Peter 3:20-21 “...who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built? In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ...” Some would suggest that the water of the flood killed, it did not save. The same water that killed the wicked raised up the righteous and separated them from the wicked. Thus they were saved by the water. Some would suggest that baptism is just a cymbal of salvation. The text says that the water of Noah’s flood was a symbol of baptism. Some would suggest that baptism does not save. The passage clearly states twice that it does. There is a sense; however, that baptism does not save. It does not provide salvation. Salvation is provided strictly through the grace of God. Baptism is only the place where a person receives the free gift of salvation. Baptism is where and when the gift is received. Baptism is not the payment for the gift. Study Guide Chapter Eleven 1. Since Jesus told the thief on the cross that today he would be with him in paradise, doesn’t that prove that the thief was saved without baptism? 2. When were the rules of the Old Testament taken away? (Col 2:14, 15) 3. When did the New Testament rules for becoming a Christian come into effect? (Heb 9:15-17) 4. Did the thief receive his promise of paradise before or after Jesus died? 5. Were very many people baptized during Jesus’ ministry? 6. Do you feel that the chances were good that the thief had been baptized under John’s baptism? 7. When we are using a phone, if we get all the right numbers, does it make any difference the order that we dial them? 8. Since Jesus tells us that baptism comes before being saved, does it make any difference which comes first? 9. Name three evidences that show us that Mark 16:16 should be in our Bibles today. 10. Is baptism a symbol of salvation according to 1 Pet 3:20-21? Be careful. Read it again. 11. Does 1 Pet 3:20-21 say we are saved at baptism? 12. How did the water save Noah? Now please click
on "Baptism
in Running Water."
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