When it comes to the thief on the cross, it’s usually only raised as the “textbook” example of God’s saving grace. Specifically, it’s raised to counter the necessity of baptism. The popular response is something like, “What about the thief on the cross? Jesus declared him saved without having to be baptized first.”
At Jesus’ crucifixion, two criminals were also crucified on either side. One of them, in stark contrast to the other, acknowledged his own crimes while confessing Jesus’ innocence. This thief on the cross went further in his statement which led Jesus to confirm that they would be together in Paradise that very day, a clear affirmation of the thief’s salvation.
How Scripture answers "What about the thief on the cross?"
The saving incident of the thief on the cross1 has nothing to do with baptism’s role in salvation for one main reason: the Old Law was still in effect. Jesus Himself lived under and observed the Old Law5. It isn’t until about fifty days later, after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection6, that we see baptism for the remission of sins as the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”3.
What we are reminded of from the thief on the cross1 is God’s pattern for salvation and Jesus’ authority to save and forgive sins. The thief on the cross acknowledged his own sin and demonstrated his faith/belief in Jesus by his statements1, which isn’t different than other interactions where Jesus exercises His saving authority24 while fulfilling His mission on earth.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us! But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And he said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
One of the crucified criminals mocked Jesus by asking if He was the Christ that He should be able to save Himself and them. But the other criminal rebuked the first by acknowledging God’s authority and the fact that they were guilty and worthy of their death sentence but that Jesus was innocent. He went on to ask Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus responded that he would be Him in Paradise that very day.
The crucifixion of Jesus and a remarkable confession by a thief that obviously knew who Jesus was and what his death (and resurrection) would mean (“come into your kingdom”). Parallel accounts of the robbers are Matthew 27:38-44 and Mark 15:27-32.
Applying Luke 23:39-43 to this question...
Jesus grants the one robber salvation after he, unlike the other, acknowledges his guilt and that Jesus was capable of saving him (spiritually).
And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.
Jesus took a boat [from Galilee] to His home town [Capernaum]. While there, some people brought a paralyzed man for Him to heal. When Jesus saw their faith, He told the man to be encouraged because his sins were forgiven.
Jesus is very early in His public ministry and has just returned to his home in Capernaum after preaching and healing in Galilee. Immediately following this, after some accused Him of blasphemy (vs 3), Jesus healed the man (vs 4). Parallel accounts are in Mark 2:1-5 and Luke:5:17-26.
Applying Matthew 9:1-2 to this question...
Jesus forgives one’s sins after witnessing their faith.
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
When they heard the preaching of Peter and the rest of the apostles, they were convicted by them and asked what they should do [to be saved]. Peter told them that they each should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that they could receive the remission of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This “gift” was the promise made for all Jews, but also all Gentiles — everyone whom God calls to himself.
Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost where he recalled several prophetic statements from Joel and David (vss 16-36). By divine inspiration, Peter interpreted these statements to apply their fulfillment to Jesus and the ushering in of the “last days”.
He also specifically refers to the “promise of the Holy Spirit” earlier – given by the Father to the Son (vs 33). More were continuing to be saved, and they began meeting together as the Lord’s church (vss 41-47).
Applying Acts 2:37-39 to this question...
On the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the people were convicted and asked Peter what they needed to do to be saved. He told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
And Jesus said to him, What do you want me to do for you? And the blind man said to him, Rabbi, let me recover my sight. And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Jesus asked him [Bartimaeus] what he wanted from Him. After asking to receive his sight, Jesus healed him and told him that it was his faith that made him whole. In that instant, Bartimaeus could see and began to follow Jesus.
Jesus is in the midst of His public ministry. He has come to Jericho with His disciples and is now leaving when they encounter a blind beggar, Bartimaeus (vs 46). The beggar cried out and addressed Jesus as the “Son of David” (vs 47). Matthew (20:29-34) and Luke (18:35-43) also record this event.
Applying Mark 10:51-52 to this question...
Jesus heals Bartimaeus based on his confession of faith.
By acknowledging Jesus was the “Son of David,” Bartimaeus demonstrated that he understood Jesus was the Messiah.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
God the Father sent His Son at the right moment in history. He was born of a woman under law, sent to redeem those under law so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia (1:2) in which he warns of “quickly deserting” (1:6) their call to Christ. He continues this theme through chapter 2 and begins in chapter 3 to the end to connect the promise that God made to Abraham (3:8) with their present freedom in Christ (5:1). His audience is all who “were baptized into Christ” – both Jews and Greeks (3:27).
Applying Galatians 4:4-5 to this question...
Jesus was born under the Law of Moses.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
You who were dead in your sins and uncircumcised in the flesh, God made alive with Him by forgiving our sins and canceling the record of debt with its legal demands that opposed us. He set it aside by nailing it to the cross, triumphing over, dismantling, and disgracing the rulers and authorities.
In the immediate context, Paul is warning the Colossians to not fall away by being captivated (enamored) by empty philosophies or anything that is not according to Christ (vs 8). He continues by specifically calling out the Mosaic Law (“a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees”) – the law that Christ replaced. Under the same theme of not falling away, he tells them not to allow others to judge them against things pertaining to the Mosaic Law such as food, drink, feasts, Sabbath days (vs 16). In Christ, they are not obligated to observe those things.
Applying Colossians 2:13-15 to this question...
The new covenant replaced the old covenant (Law) at the cross.
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