01/10/2026
THE THIEF ON THE CROSS — WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?
The thief on the cross is often used to argue that baptism is not necessary for salvation. But can we actually prove that he was never baptized? No. The Bible does not tell us whether he had been baptized or not.
What we do know is that the thief lived and died before the New Covenant was put into effect. Hebrews 9:15–17 teaches that a testament takes effect after the death of the one who made it.
So, if we want to know what Christ commands under the New Covenant, we must look to the teachings given after His death and resurrection.
When people asked, “What shall we do?”, Peter answered:
“Repent, and be baptized… for the remission of sins.”
— Acts 2:38
Therefore, let us not build our doctrine on what the Bible does not say about the thief. Let us examine what the Bible clearly commands under the New Covenant.
📖 Mark 16:16 | Acts 2:38 | Romans 6:3–4 | Galatians 3:27
