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But What About The Thief On The Cross?
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Scripture Reading

• Luke 2339-43

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Objection Raised to Counter Necessity of Water
Baptism

• Overlook passages clearly stating baptism is
  essential for salvation (remission of sins)
• Ignore passages clearly stating the effect of
  baptism in bringing one into Christ
• Disregard every example of conversion in Acts as
  specifying baptism in each case
• Instead say, I want to be saved like the thief
  on the cross

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Really Want Salvation Like Thief On The Cross?

• Want to be crucified on a cross?
• Want to suffer death just after salvation?
• Want to be saved only if Christ directly
  pronounces such for you?
• No, just want the good part of salvation without
  suffering or doing anything

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Consider the Objection...
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You Sure Thief Not Baptized?

• Lived through time of Johns baptism
• Johns baptism commanded at time (Lk. 32f)
• Matt. 35f All Judea area came to John
• Mark 15 Judea Jerusalem baptized
• Luke 729 People publicans baptized
• Matt. 2126 Multitude held John as prophet
• Do not know whether thief was one of the
  multitude that was baptized or not
• Going against the odds to say he was not

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Christs Baptism Commanded After Death of Thief

• Great Commission given after thief was dead (Mark
  1615-16 Matt. 2818-19)
• Gospel first preached in Jerusalem on Pentecost
  (Acts 18 -- Acts 21-41)
• Baptism in name of Christ first preached then
  (Acts 238)
• Thief on the cross was dead 50 days before
• Testament of Christ could only take effect after
  His death (Heb. 917)
• Baptism in name of Lord essential in gospel

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Characteristics of N.T. Baptism

• Response to Preaching Christ Acts 835-36
• Response of Believers Acts 812-13
• By Authority of Father, Son Spirit Matthew
  2819
• Makes One a Disciple of Christ Matthew 2819
• For Salvation Mark 1616
• Now Saves Us 1 Peter 321
• For Remission Of Sins Acts 238
• For Washing Away Sin Acts 2216
• Body Of Sin Done Away Romans 66
• Is into Christ's Death (Blood) Romans 63
• Puts One into Christ Galatians 327
• Adds One to Christs Church Acts 241, 47
• Is into the One Body 1 Corinthians 1213
• Gets One into the Kingdom John 35
• Raised from Baptism with Christ Colossians
  211-12
• Results in Putting on Christ Galatians 327
• Raised to Walk in the New Life Romans 64
• Made Alive to God in Christ Romans 611

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Why Not Be Saved Like...

• Those on Pentecost (Acts 237-41)
• Those in Samaria (Acts 812)
• Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 835-39)
• Lydia Her Household (Acts 1615-16)
• The Philippian Jailor (Acts 1629-34)
• Saul of Tarsus (Acts 2210-16)
• Christians in Rome (Romans 63-11)

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