The Thief on the Cross
A Misused Example for Salvation
One of the most common arguments used to support the idea that salvation comes solely through belief and a verbal plea is the account of the thief on the cross. Many claim that because Jesus told the thief, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43, NKJV), this proves that baptism and obedience to the gospel are unnecessary for salvation. However, this argument is flawed for several reasons.
Jesus Had Authority to Forgive Sins on Earth
While Jesus was on earth, He had the power to forgive sins directly. We see this in multiple instances:
The paralytic man – "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” (Matthew 9:6, NKJV).
The sinful woman – "Your sins are forgiven"… "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." (Luke 7:48-50, NKJV).
Jesus, being God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), had the divine authority to extend forgiveness at His discretion. However, after His death and resurrection, He instituted a new covenant with clear instructions for salvation.
The New Covenant Was Not Yet in Effect
The thief was saved before the New Testament plan of salvation was established. The New Covenant did not take effect until after Christ’s death:
Hebrews 9:16-17 (NKJV) – "For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives."
Jesus had not yet died when He spoke to the thief. The gospel plan of salvation—requiring belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and faithful living—was not yet in force. To use the thief’s experience as proof for salvation today ignores this fundamental truth.
We Know Very Little About the Thief
There are many unknowns about the thief that make it impossible to use him as a pattern for salvation:
He recognized Jesus as Lord, saying: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:42, NKJV).
He could have been baptized under John’s baptism, which was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). Many people, including tax collectors and sinners, were baptized by John. It is entirely possible that the thief was among them.
He could have been innocent, like Jesus, and wrongly condemned. While he admits, "we receive the due reward of our deeds" (Luke 23:41, NKJV), we do not know the full details of his life.
Because of these unknowns, it is unsound to use the thief as a model for salvation today when Scripture provides a clear pattern under the New Covenant.
The New Testament Gives a Clear Plan for Salvation
Unlike the thief, we live under the New Covenant, which teaches:
Believe in Jesus – "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16, NKJV).
Repent of sins – "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38, NKJV).
Confess Christ – "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9, NKJV).
Be baptized into Christ – "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27, NKJV).
Remain faithful – "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10, NKJV).
The Thief is Not Our Example for Salvation
The story of the thief on the cross is a beautiful account of Jesus’ love and willingness to forgive, but it is not the example for salvation under the New Covenant. Because:
Jesus had the authority to forgive sins while on earth.
The New Covenant was not yet in effect.
We do not know the thief’s full background.
The New Testament gives a clear, repeated pattern for salvation.
Rather than relying on an uncertain and pre-New Covenant event, we should follow the plan of salvation as laid out by Jesus and His apostles under the New Covenant.
Jesus is willing to forgive today, but He has given us the pattern to follow. Will we obey Him?