The Thief on the Cross
 

There is no greater picture of the grace of God than the thief on the cross. The man, suspended between heaven and earth next to the Savior of the World, cannot do anything but beg for mercy. "Remember me..." were his words to Jesus. Christ's response, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" displays to us succinctly what unmerited favor means.

To argue this scenario any other way is to ignore the power of its truth. Some say, "Well, the thief was under a different dispensation. Water baptism in Jesus Name and the gift of the Holy Ghost was not available to him. Therefore we cannot say that the thief is not a picture of NT salvation". After they broke the legs of the thieves to expedite their death, they found Jesus already dead. Jesus was dead before the thief. Jesus cried out "It is finished". The blood of the New Testament was shed. The thief very well could've been the first man in the door of the New Testament!

The argument that the thief was under the OT covenant fails as well on the basis of the fact the man could not do what the law required. He couldn't go offer animal sacrifices, observe Passover, be circumcised (if not a Jew), follow the Jewish traditions and customs. And if you argue he falls under the OT covenant, you are saying it was easier to get to heaven in the OT than the NT.

A preacher told one time about a man who was on his deathbed and was not ready for heaven. He said he was frustrated because he felt helpless to help that man. Later he said he felt the Lord showed him what he could've done. He said, "The Lord told me 'you could go get a glass of water for that man, because where he's going, there'll be no water there. You could go find that man a baby and show him the face of an infant because where he's going there'll be no babies there. You could smile at that man because where he's going there'll be only weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" He then went on to say, "I don't know why I felt led to tell you that story, brother, but maybe you can use it next Sunday." I got off the phone and thought, "How depressing!" I then said, "Lord, if that man on his deathbed could not utter a prayer of repentance and you couldn't save him in his desperate cry for help, I don't know that you are really that much of a Savior." In the time that preacher got a glass of water, found a baby or smiled, he could've led the man to repentance, and in my opinion, salvation.

But if you don't believe salvation comes by grace through faith, I guess you'd feel hopeless to help a man in his dying moments.

I think the thief on the cross was included in the Bible to show us just how hopeful and powerful the grace of God is. What a gift!

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Grand post Deacon!!!!!

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

You have to love it when people throw "The Lord Told Me" so freely. REALLY? The Lord told you to basically mock this person as they are dying? SURE...right, I believe that one.

I have to tell you that I am glad the Jesus I know and love is not the same as the one portrayed by some folks. If he was, none of us would stand a chance no matter what kind of life we lived or faith we exercised!!

i have prayed with dying family members and I do know how frustrating it can be when you compare where they are with what you have been told is necessary to make it in, but I will say this, and no it was not "The Lord Told Me", but I left the last family member after having read ACTS 2:38 and the whole shooting match (to which she was bewildred and really did not understand what I was talking about), I remember driving home, and a great peace coming over my spirit.

God knows what He is doing and is still sovern. And that's all I got to say about that...

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The thief on the Christ was not saved by the gospel that Paul preached. He was saved by faith in the Lord. The same way the saints of old were saved by faith in Jehovah. The thief on the cross couldn't be saved under the Law because he broke the law. But his sins were forgiven by the blood shed on the cross. The thief on the cross was saved and no apostolic can say otherwise.

That does not mean we are not to repent and be baptized in Jesus name and that is the command for NT believers. It just means the God has made exceptions and He is sovereign.

If we use this story to take away from the NT church message they preached, we have played the scripture cancels scripture game. That just don't work.

God can save anyone with faith, period.

God wants us to repent and be baptized and receive that promise of the HG and walk in the light.

John 3:1-21

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

I do not believe in death-bed salvation. Repentance is a life-style which cannot simply be a change of mind from immediate compulsion. I am more than happy to pray with a sinner on his death bed even at the last moment, but to offer a hope for sinners going through life with the expectation that they can live however they wish and then at the last moment of life expect to enter into eternal felicities by breathing a sinners prayer just before the last breath, is extreme presumption...a grievous sin, a cleansing from which David begged for forgiveness. He confesses and asked for forgiveness from his presumption sin.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Deacon,

I wonder what happened to all of the people who died in the short period between Christ's death and Pentecost?

They died after the NT was in full effect, but before they heard "the message."

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Or all those in North and South America immediately following the events of Acts chapter 2. Unless no one died for well over a thousand years, quite a few natives have no idea who Jesus was.

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Wow! You are one of the most arrogant poster's on this Forum! What gives you the right to claim someone can't find God in the fleeting moment before death???

The Bible clearly shows us that time is of no consequence or barrier with God.

You sound like one of those who got paid the same wage as the man who came in the last hour of the day. You can't stand the fact that God would put the last, first.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

I'm surprised that an opinion could make you so flaming angry. Did you not see the words, "I do not believe in death-bed repentance...?"

Having an opinion with which you disagree would cause you to become so inflamed with animosity that you would start calling me names? You must be having a very difficult time in life.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Because your view of salvation is works-focused, not God's-work focused.

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It's people like you that develop into the Scribes and Pharisees of old. Mercy is lost at the expense of your spiritual arrogance and self worth.

Apprehended, your ideas that reflect a lack of compassion for people who are dying is the result of spending too much time in front of a mirror.

You need to hold a few more dying people in your arms. Countless young men and women gave their life for you on a foreign battlefield, and some of them cried out to God for the first time while gasping for a final breath.

Call me what you will, but I believe God hears these utter cries when people die.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Paul said if anyone is justified by the works of the law then they have fallen from grace..
But of course Paul was probably a Baptist in doctrine and no body today that don't believe in a one time salvation experience won't adhere to his words.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

That is incorrect.

You are going to tell me what my view of salvation is without me having expressed it here?

Actually, a life of faith is not truly a life of faith if works of righteousness are not enjoined to that life. In each of the seven churches of Asia, Jesus reiterated these words to them, "I know thy works," followed by an observation of failure in works (except the church at Philadelphia) to whom he admonished them to repent. In each case, a consequence for not repenting of their imperfect works is cited.

A life of faith cannot be without works of righteousness if it is truly saving faith. Anyone that disparage this notion is not doing his/her listeners any good.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Wow!!!!!!!!

Your anger is bursting forth like a an uncontrollable flame. That's uncalled for. Opinions do not change became someone else loses control of themselves. Calm down.

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Paul was correct. But, I don't know anyone today who claims to be a christian that is trying to do the works of the law. Goodness! I'll leave the Jews to that task. I understand they are still looking for a purely red heifer for when their temple is rebuilt. Further, I have no interest of going up to Jerusalem three times in a year. Travel is too expensive.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

wow!

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Yes, Jersulem is very far from here. I always wanted to go there all my lifetime, never really had the money to spend after raising five children. Maybe some day a rich christian will sow some seed my way.:heeheehee

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

:ursofunny

I'm poorer than you are. I raised six of 'em and sent them through school too. No wonder my back aches so much. :D

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Whew!!!!! Glory to God! I'll pray for you brother there has to be some reward in heaven for that.//

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Thank you. I need it.

Maybe the thief on the cross was just trying to rake enough cash together to get his six through school. How could Christ not forgive that...after all!

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Besides, that is not the HOLY LAND, it is the land of the Bible. That's where
it happened. I do not believe the land over there where natural Jerusalem is,
is where our hearts and minds should be focused. It might have started in old
natural Jerusalem, and went to Samaria, etc., but it came to our family in Savoy,
TX in 1933. Old natural Jerusalem did not know (realize) their time, of visita-
tion. How many have neglected their day of visitation in their city. I believe
the gospel has gone around the world, city by city. Many have rejected the
gospel when it came to their city. God called and led our late parents to our
current city in 1950. God planted the church here in 1958 and it has grown
with our small town to a city. The church has continued to grow. For over 52
yrs God has visited this city. Some have joined us but not all. As long as the
church bears fruit, it will no doubt remain.

[B]Luke 19:44 KJV
And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall
not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of
thy visitation.

Falla39

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Like the woman brought to Jesus, who was taken in her sins,
I was so ashamed of what I'd done and where I had been.
Justice called for payment that was more than I could give,
but mercy's smile was on His face, "I forgive".

Oh the sweetest words He ever said were "I forgive"
when sentence death was passed away, and I could live,
well, I like the part where He told about a mansion He would give,
but the sweetest words He ever said, were "I forgive."

Well, if you're tired of living in the wrong that you have done,
come on home too Jesus, you know He's the cleansing one.
In His arms He'll hold you, and you've just begun to live,
when you hear Him gently whisper, "I forgive."

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Not many Baptists ask Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed or baptize in Jesus name like Paul did in Acts 19. Or lay hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost.

Although there are some thank God!

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

You are confusing anger with passion. You can dish it out, but you can't take it and this is why you’re so disturbed by my comments. Your doctrine or creed needs severe scrutiny, as you boldly put words into God's mouth about who makes it, and who doesn't.

Like I said, the Scribes and Pharisees in action here as you condemn the weak and unfortunate. You're counting your coin, and you're bitter that the last guy who came in got paid just as much as you. These are your words;

I do not believe in death-bed salvation. Repentance is a life-style which cannot simply be a change of mind from immediate compulsion.

By saying this, you are putting God in your box, your idea, and your prison of Faith. You are stating that a person cannot admit guilt and shame in the final moments of their life and expect God's pardon.

If Jesus can save a Thief once, he can save a Thief a million times.

You're hurling humanity into Hell Fire by your idea or seize on Scripture, when you have no idea what happens to people after they die. You've never been there, so stop your spectral observation and just admit that you don't know. Apprehended, none of us know.

A cure for you might be a visit to your local Rest Home. Paul said, pure and undefiled Religion is if we’ll visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction. Go sit by some bedsides where people have been left to die, where they are lonely, and their bodies have no strength left. You may stir a realm of compassion in your soul that will truly make a difference in this World, and you may have the privilege of holding the hand of a person who cries to God like the Thief on the cross.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

*bump*

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

NOrForSale,

Why are you lashing out so violently?

Am I going to have to put you on ignore? I've never done that before. But, I guess it could be the first time even thought I would hate to do that.

Just calm down. Things will be better for you after a good night of rest.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Uh, who's angry?:heeheehee

I'm surprised that an opinion could make you so flaming angry.

You must be having a very difficult time in life.

Your anger is bursting forth like a an uncontrollable flame. That's uncalled for.

Why are you lashing out so violently?

Am I going to have to put you on ignore? I've never done that before.

Just calm down. Things will be better for you after a good night of rest.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

what about that song folks???? Sheeeesh!

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Nice, BE. That story has become more and more real to me as I've gotten older.

I keep a rock in the pulpit when I preach from this text, and place it where people can pick it up if they choose; no takers yet...

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

I have a cow's tongue in the freezer for when I teach on gossip. Everyone screams when you make them touch it. :toofunny

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They are beautiful words, to be sure. Thanks for posting it.

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Visuals are great for leaving a lasting impression. I had a kidney stone attack one morning, and my wife had to call the ambulance. I was stricken! I was on the floor and couldn't get up.

Anyway, I was rushed to the hospital where they did a Cat Scan and gave me intense pain medication. The doctor, who was a female, came in to tell me, "You've just experienced the worst pain know to man!"

A few days later I passed the stone, and it was about the size of a small grain of sand. They gave me a container to store the stone. I was amazed at the power of something so small.

Well, took the little rock to Church and preached about the power of small things. People were amazed that the worst pain known to a man was caused by something so little!

I went on to tell the Church that it's really the small things in life that matter, the things we don't notice or take for granted.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Sounds like an excellent message! :thumbsup

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Starved for attention...:laffatu

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What about the parable of the eleventh hour workers? All of the laborers received the same wages. Its a picture of God's mercy and His gift of eternal life.

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I agree, but repentance is enough obedience to secure salvation.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

I agree.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Tell me you are not serious. You are just kidding, right? If you are truly serious and not kidding, I could come back with so much scripture you would not have time to read it all to suppose my statement above. But, I think you are only kidding.

:lol hahahaha....

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Did you change the post while I was responding to it? :D

To this statement above, I agree. In truth, I am a Jn. 3:5/Acts 2:38 ONE STEPPER. But, you would have to let me explain what I mean by this statement to fully understand where I am coming from.

I might start a thread tomorrow to explain what I mean. You will see that I am not a traditionalist.

Re: The Thief on the Cross
 

Jesus can save anybody. Even a man on his deathbed.