Bible Question:
RAVEN and John Reformed, Good Day to you! I noticed that the question regarding speaking in tongues got into the subject of it being nessesary to be baptized in order to be saved. I have a question on this subject Reference Luke 23:32 through 43. (32)...Two others also, who were criminals,... (42)...Jesus, Remember me when You come in Your Kingdom. (43)..., Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in paradise. My question is, and not challenging you but would just like to know, was the criminal excused from baptism? If the criminal was from that region he would have heard of John the baptist wouldn't he? That may be an unfair question because we do not know where the criminal was from. I would welcome comments from anyone on the forum. Much Love in Christ, Cyclist |
Bible Answer: Hello Cyclist, Yes, at this point Jesus was still alive on the cross, fully human and full diety. We cannot second guess what Jesus did in saving the thief on the cross beside him. For Jesus was able to look into the thiefs heart and see that he had repented for what he must have done to deserve being crucified plus would also have known that the thief believed Jesus was the Son of God and could save him if he wanted to. But this does not mean that only belief saves today. Jesus forgave many sins while He was ministering to the people. Matt 9:2, Lk 7:47-49 and Jn. 8:11 But the people needed signs to believe for they did not have the complete bible as we have today. Mark 16 20And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.[1] John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe." John 20 That You May Believe 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. But remember Jesus has comanded baptism. Matthew 28 19Go therefore[1] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mark 16 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. We cannot second guess Jesus while He was with us on Earth. But now this is the way He has said for us to be saved. Remember John 14:15 And for the rest that had heard of John the Baptist and were baptised by him these still need to be re baptised into Christ. Acts 19 Paul at Ephesus Paul's Preaching Causes a Riot at Ephesus 1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Hope this has helped Raven |