Good Thief Many point to the thief on the cross as a model for salvation, but the new covenant began after jesus’ resurrection. this blog explores why acts 2:38 is the true pattern for salvation today—and why it matters now more than ever. The people in acts 2 were neither saved at the point of faith alone nor told to pray for salvation. after believing, they were told to “repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of jesus christ for the forgiveness of sins” (acts 2:38; acts 22:16).
The Penitent Thief The Greatest Example Of Salvation The thief had no opportunity to perform good works, participate in baptism, or live a life reflecting christian virtues. his salvation was entirely the result of god’s grace in response to his faith. So the argument “the thief doesn’t count because it was before the new covenant” collapses — because jesus clearly saved people without baptism. and if baptism were essential, jesus himself violated that requirement multiple times. We often hear stories, and homilies devoted to the “thief on the cross” as a shinning example of a poor soul being saved by christ at the hour of death by grace alone. The objection usually goes like this: “you say baptism is required for salvation, but the thief on the cross was saved and he wasn’t baptized. that proves baptism isn’t necessary.”.
Thief S Simple Salvation Biblical Foundations We often hear stories, and homilies devoted to the “thief on the cross” as a shinning example of a poor soul being saved by christ at the hour of death by grace alone. The objection usually goes like this: “you say baptism is required for salvation, but the thief on the cross was saved and he wasn’t baptized. that proves baptism isn’t necessary.”. The thief on the cross is not an example of what one must do to be saved today, as his salvation was based upon a different covenant, different circumstances, and a different relationship to jesus. The thief’s example warns us against the tendency to measure others’ salvation by outward conformity to religious practices or moral behavior. while these are important fruits of faith (james 2:26), they are not the root of salvation. The example of the thief is frequently used as support for the doctrine stating that baptism is unnecessary for salvation. someone may say, "i want to be saved like the thief on the cross.". Unfortunately, some christians cite this beautiful story as evidence against the catholic theology of salvation, claiming that salvation is by faith alone and anything in addition is contrary to the gospel.
Thief S Simple Salvation Biblical Foundations The thief on the cross is not an example of what one must do to be saved today, as his salvation was based upon a different covenant, different circumstances, and a different relationship to jesus. The thief’s example warns us against the tendency to measure others’ salvation by outward conformity to religious practices or moral behavior. while these are important fruits of faith (james 2:26), they are not the root of salvation. The example of the thief is frequently used as support for the doctrine stating that baptism is unnecessary for salvation. someone may say, "i want to be saved like the thief on the cross.". Unfortunately, some christians cite this beautiful story as evidence against the catholic theology of salvation, claiming that salvation is by faith alone and anything in addition is contrary to the gospel.
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