Jesus Saves the Theif on the Cross
A controversy that has arose when Jesus was being crucified on the cross with two other transgressors, Luke 23:39-43.
Jesus saves the one thief when he pleads saying, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”.
- 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Their is a belief among many that Jesus saves people on the basis of “faith alone”, assuming that baptism then is not essential to receive forgiveness of sins. People commonly bring up the thief as someone who was saved without baptism, concluding that Jesus saved the thief without baptism, He would also save others without baptism.
It must be remembered that Jesus lived, died and was resurrected during the Old Testament times.
Baptism didn’t come into effect until the door of the church was opened, Acts 2:38.
Before His Death, Jesus had the power to Forgive People Directly as He Chose, Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
- 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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Jesus again granting the thief salvation in paradise Cannot Be Used as an Example of Salvation by faith found in the Gospel as it haddent come into effect yet. Disputing the Baptist belief your save by faith alone.
The New Testament Church and Its Name
Can we give a church any name we choose? The answer is no.
Colossians 1:18 tells us what the name should be, the last part of the verse:
“that in all things he might have the preeminence”, Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
Preeminence means first place, the NASB explains it better. “might have first place in everything”, Colossians 1:18 (NASB)
- verse 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.
If Christ is to have first place in every thing it would follow that the name of the church should be in his name, Not any name that sounds good.
Conclusion
The first Baptist church as history reports was started in Holland by John Smyth in 1609 and four hundred years later we have such a diverse mixture of associations or conventions including the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) then bring in the American Baptist Convention, thousands of autonomous local baptist churchs, what decides a person to select a scriptural church?
You can examine this question and compare it to the New Testament church and form your own conclusion. The articles in their respective categories have been thoroughly researched and undeniable history presented on this site.
Pave the way to eternal life by studying here and reaching out to more articles and books on what the New Testament truly teaches.
Examine the efforts of this website. All articles on this site are instructional. Forward articles are displayed just under each categories given viewers help on determining which article they want to read.
For those desiring eternal life is promised by God, you must be in the true scriptural church.
For a good start, read the Introduction, then under the category Church of Christ Doctrine study, Salvation.
Become a member of the New Testament church, be baptized into the Church of Christ.
Then as you grow in the church attend bible study classes, also gain more knowledge from sermons of the preacher.
Good books increase knowledge, learned Christians can guide you in studying the New and Old Testaments.