What About the Thief on the Cross?

     When a Christian shares the gospel with others, the Biblical pattern to become a Christian is completed with baptism in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21). There are some who question the necessity of baptism. When pressed about the Biblical necessity to being baptized, some often turn to the thief on the cross.
     The common argument is that the thief on the cross did not have to be baptized. If he didn’t have to be baptized, then why do we? If one person can be in Paradise without baptism, are those who preach baptism as necessary making the gospel “too difficult” for others to follow? This podcast episode offers three Biblical points to help clarify the narrative of the thief on the cross, his crucifixion conversion, and the gospel pattern of salvation.