Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Note: This "interview" never took place, but if it had it could have gone something like this. Just what would the thief on the cross have said if asked about baptism? Let's see if we can find out!

The first thing someone might ask is, "What would the thief on the cross, mentioned in Luke 23:32- 43, know about the subject of baptism anyway?" Well, he would at least know enough about it to speak from personal experience about the matter. He could surely explain his own relationship to the subject. And certainly he ought to know more about baptism as it related to himself than any modern-day critic. In any event, we want to let him have his "say" on the subject, trusting that it will be of some benefit to us. Here he comes now. "Good morning, Mr. Thief on the cross. Would you be pleased to tell us why you feel led to speak out on such a controversial topic as baptism?"

"You may call me T.C. All my friends do. Well, it's like this. There are so many people using me as a reason (or should I say "excuse") for denying that baptism is essential to salvation. They feel that if I could be in Paradise with Jesus without baptism, then so can they. I must say that it surely flatters me that from among all the noble and worthy disciples of Jesus, that I, a lowly common criminal, should be held up as an example by so many millions of respectable persons, and on such an important subject as baptism. But I am also deeply saddened."

"Saddened? But why, Mr. T.C., should you be caused any sorrow over such a great honor?"

"Well... it's... well, to think that so many are basing their hope of salvation upon me, as if my case were the model for the whole world to follow."

"But, isn't it true what everyone is saying? If you could be saved without baptism, then couldn't everyone? Remember, God is no respecter of persons."

"I see that you too have been persuaded by the masses. How unfortunate! Yes, I guess it's about time that I spoke up. The world must become enlightened to the true state of affairs concerning the relationship between my salvation and the matter of baptism. Perhaps I have been silent too long. Would you really care to hear my story?"

"By all means, go ahead. We've certainly heard enough from others about your case. I think it's time you spoke in your own behalf. And I'm sure our listeners
(and readers) will be extremely interested in hearing what you have to say. So please proceed."

"All right, then, let me begin by stating what might be considered a startling fact, a very important one: it was absolutely and utterly impossible for me to have been baptized into Christ."

"First of all, Jesus had not yet died when I believed in Him."

"You might ask, ‘But what does that have to do with it?' Just this. As long as Jesus was alive, the Old Testament (or Covenant) was still in effect. The New Testament could not possibly have gone into effect until after Jesus died. Hebrews 9:16-17 plainly teaches that a covenant or will cannot become effective until its maker has died. So that means that when I spoke with Jesus there on the cross, the Old Covenant was still in effect, and under the Old Covenant there was no requirement for anyone to be baptized into Christ. So, since the New Covenant did not go into effect until after Jesus died, I could not possibly have been baptized for baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament. Furthermore, Christian baptism is INTO THE DEATH OF CHRIST, according to Romans 6:3- 5. Certainly no one could have been baptized into His death until He had actually and fully died. That would rule me out, you see, for when I believed in Jesus, He was still alive. Besides, baptism is a BURIAL WITH CHRIST (see same Scripture). How could I have been buried with Christ in baptism until Christ Himself was first buried? He hadn't even died yet when He spoke those words on the cross, to say nothing of having not been buried yet. His death and burial were both in the future when He made that wonderful promise to me. So you see, I couldn't have been baptized into Christ."

"In the second place, Jesus had not yet given instructions to anyone regarding being baptized into Him that day."

"Jesus' orders for being baptized into Him were not given until sometime after both He and I died. While He arose from the dead three days after He died, my body was buried in the potter's field where criminals were placed, and it is still there (what ever is left of it). Then after He arose, He appeared to various persons for a month and ten days. It was at the end of that time that He first gave instructions regarding Christian baptism in what is commonly called the Great Commission. (Read about it in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16). Since I had been dead and buried for 43 days before any such instructions were given, I could not possibly have known about this baptism, to say nothing of having obeyed it. But suppose I had survived my crucifixion, I still would have never known about the baptism for 43 more days. In fact, no one could have known about being baptized the day that I talked with Jesus, for you see, He had not yet told anyone about it. Can't you see how impossible it was for me to have been baptized?"

"In the third place, although instructions about baptism were given 43 days after I died, it was a full 7 weeks after my death before anyone was actually commanded to be baptized."

"Christian baptism, that is, baptism into the name of Jesus Christ was first commanded by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost that occurred 50 days after Jesus was crucified at the Jewish Passover Feast. You can read about that in Leviticus 23:4-16. Now the twelve apostles to whom Jesus gave these instructions about baptism knew of it on Jesus' ascension day, but they were not to tell anyone about it until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8), and that happened on the Pente(50 day)cost feast (Acts 2:1- 4). It was on that day that the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to preach to multitudes that were assembled for the annual Jewish feast, and some 3,000 realized they had sinned and asked the apostles what to do. It was then, for the first time ever, that the command to be baptized into the name of Jesus was given (Acts 2:38). (Notice that the purpose for baptism was given as "for the remission of sins." If you will write to me — Bill Paul — I'll send you a chart showing this from 81 different Bible translations.) No, Jesus hadn't told me to be baptized that day back there on the cross, for He hadn't told anyone. And the apostles hadn't told anyone until 7 weeks later. Maybe this will help you to see why it is absolutely impossible for me to have been baptized into Christ."

"In the last place, even if Jesus had told me to be baptized, or the apostles had commanded me to do it, I still wouldn't have done it, for you see, I was firmly fastened to a cross by nails."

"Remember that mockers told Jesus to come down from the cross if He were truly the Son of God (Matthew 26:39-53)? Well, He could have done so if He had chosen to, but it was utterly impossible for me, a half-dead criminal, to come down from the cross to be baptized or to do anything else. But this restriction doesn't keep a single one of you from being baptized in Christ for the remission of your sins, does it? So please, friends, don't use my case as a reason for not being baptized as Jesus requires. None of the circumstances surrounding my case offer a shred of consolation to anyone today. Please, I beg you, stop using me as an excuse for not obeying Jesus! If you want to be in Paradise with Jesus and me, then read the Scriptures about baptism and obey them! I would have gladly have been baptized if Jesus had told me to and if I could have. Friend, what's hindering you from being baptized into Christ?
"Thank you Mr. Thief on the Cross."

Postscript — Well, there you have it — his own testimony. The thief on the cross could not have possibly been baptized into Christ. Jesus saved him without it because he lived before the covenant requiring it came into effect. No one could have been baptized into Jesus' death and be buried with Him in baptism until after He had died. The instructions regarding Christian baptism were not given until 43 days after the thief's death. The commandment to be baptized into Christ was not given until 50 days after the poor thief's death. And if he had been required to be baptized , he couldn't have been. But you can! Have you? Will you?