What Does The Thief On The Cross Teach Us About Salvation

The thief on the cross is the source of much confusion within the church. As he was granted entry into heaven without being baptized or ever actually serving God. This often will cause people to question what one must do to be saved if anything. Many believe this account acts as a lesson on salvation. Which causes them to contradict other passages in the Bible that teach what we must do to be saved. But what do we really learn about our salvation from the thief on the cross? The shocking answer is nothing. 

That simply is the truth. Those who cling to the thief on the cross as proof that acts such as baptism play no role in salvation they fail to realize one very important point. He was still under the Old Covenant not the New Covenant of grace we now live under. Which only started after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. How he was saved and granted eternity in Heaven plays no role in the way that we are saved. Because the circumstances were different. It’s important to understand that many biblical scholars actually place the gospel in the Old Testament. Due to the fact they were all describing times under the Old Covenant. 

Hebrews 8:13 (ESV)

¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV)

¹⁵ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

If we want to see accounts in scripture that apply to salvation in our lives we need to look to those that happened once the New Covenant was established. Not at an account of salvation that took place in a far different time then ours. Like that of the Thief on the cross. Acts of salvation that took place with those in the same circumstances we find ourselves in today. Such as the account in Acts chapter two in which Peter is asked by a group of people what they must do to be saved. Peter in the following verses laid out the biblical plan of salvation. A message that he would not have given if he didn’t believe it to be true. Nor would it be included in God’s inspired word if it were not accurate.

Acts 2:37–41 (ESV)

37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 

Or we can turn over to Acts Chapter ten where the first time gentiles received the Good News of Jesus Christ is recorded. While in a different order those in the house of Cornelius did the very same things Peter called the Jews to do eight chapters earlier. Leaving an example for every believer that came after them to follow.

Acts 10:44–48 (ESV)

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. 

The book of Acts is full of other great examples that show the Acts 2:38 plan of salvation in action. Examples that actually apply to people today unlike the account of the thief on the cross. Each shows that receiving salvation takes more than just believing God exists. Belief is always the first step to being saved but it is not the last.  

Often when the conversation turns toward the thief on the cross-questions arise such as what if someone dies before they can be baptized. That is a very valid concern because we can think of many ways that could happen. In that case, we have to remember two important things. First God is merciful and compassionate. With that, He also knows the motives of the heart. Meaning that God would know if that individual truly believed and would have followed the rest of the plan of salvation. God is able to grant salvation based on all He is able to see that we can’t. 

1 Kings 8:39 (ESV)

39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),

Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)

2  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the spirit.

Proverbs 21:2 (ESV)

2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the heart. 

Now if someone has every opportunity to be baptized but never does that’s a completely different issue. That shows nothing more than a lack of concern for the scripture and even a lack of love towards the Lord. As Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments and was the one who said to go into all nations making disciples baptizing them. Baptism is not presented in the Bible as an optional thing but a command from God.

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

John 14:15 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Of course, there is much we can learn from the account of the thief on the cross. Just not in regards to how we are saved today. All scripture is from God and it is all meant to teach us. In this case, we can see that even those who are being condemned by the world are still loved by God. No matter the crimes they are guilty of God is still willing to show anyone mercy. We also learn that the very day Jesus gave up His life on the cross He went into paradise. Where all those who die will also be taken.

Luke 23:39–43 (ESV)

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

It’s true that the thief on the cross was granted salvation and eternal life in Heaven without ever doing anything besides confessing faith. He never led another to faith, gave generously, received the Holy Spirit, or was baptized. But that doesn’t mean we can receive salvation in the same way. His account teaches us nothing about our own salvation. First and foremost because we live under a different dispensation of grace. As well as the fact that unlike him we still have the opportunity to serve God in every possible way.

So don’t try to use this great example of God’s love, grace, and mercy as an excuse to not live out the scripture. Instead, look to the example of those in the New Testament and see what they did to receive salvation. Then follow that example and be sure you have done all you can to be saved. You are living in the New Covent which means you need to follow the New Covenant plan of salvation not the acts of one man living uncer the Old Covenant.

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