Luke 23:39-43 - Jesus was crucified between two criminals (thieves). As the three of them were suspended, one thief ridiculed Jesus, but the other defended Him. Jesus promised this one would be in Paradise that day.
This saying of
Jesus has become a center of controversy. Many believe Jesus saves people on
the basis of "faith alone," so baptism is not essential to receive
forgiveness of sins. When the subject is discussed, people commonly bring up
the thief as someone who was saved without baptism. They conclude that if Jesus
would save this man without baptism, He would also save us without baptism.
Let us consider
further. What does this case teach us about the terms of forgiveness under the
gospel?
