Was the Thief on the Cross SAVED by Faith ONLY? He Was NOT Baptized!

One common argument against the necessity of baptism for salvation is the case of the thief on the cross. Many claim that since the thief was not baptized but was still saved, baptism must not be required. While this reasoning might seem logical at first glance, let’s take a closer look at what the Bible actually says about baptism and salvation.

Was the Thief on the Cross Baptized?

The first assumption in this argument is that the thief on the cross was not baptized. But how do we know that for certain? The Bible tells us in Matthew 3:1-2:

"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'" (Matthew 3:1-2 | NKJV)

And in verse 5-6:

"Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:5 | NKJV)

This passage suggests that baptism was widely practiced during that time. While it is unlikely that every single person in those regions was baptized, it does indicate that it was a common occurrence among sinners seeking repentance.

Was the thief on the cross a sinner? Yes. Was he from Jerusalem, Judea, or the surrounding region? Most likely. Could he have been baptized by John the Baptist or Jesus’ disciples? Absolutely. We simply do not have enough information to say with certainty that he was not baptized. In fact, his knowledge of Jesus’ kingdom suggests he may have heard John the Baptist or Jesus Himself teach, increasing the likelihood that he was baptized.

Was the Thief on the Cross Saved?

Yes. The Bible clearly records that Jesus granted salvation to the thief. In Luke 23:42-43, the thief says:

“‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’” (Luke 23:43b | NKJV)

To which Jesus responds:

“‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:43b)

This was not the only instance where Jesus forgave sins. In Luke 5:20, Jesus forgave the sins of a paralyzed man, and in Luke 7:48, He forgave the sins of a sinful woman who anointed His feet. Whether these individuals were baptized or not is unknown. But does this prove that baptism is unnecessary for salvation today?

Some argue that Jesus did not say the thief needed to be baptized to be saved. However, it is important to consider that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had the authority to forgive sins directly. For example, in Mark 2:10, Jesus stated:

"But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins."

Jesus could forgive sins based on His authority before His death, burial, and resurrection. The thief’s salvation does not prove that baptism is unnecessary today—it only demonstrates that Jesus, during His earthly ministry, could directly grant salvation.

Understanding the New Covenant

The argument that baptism is not necessary today assumes that people are saved the same way now as they were during Jesus’ earthly ministry. However, there is a critical distinction—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection brought about the New Covenant.

During His ministry, Jesus had the authority to forgive sins directly. However, after His resurrection, He instituted baptism as a necessary part of salvation. In Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus commanded:

“‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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…’” (Matthew 28:18-19 | NKJV)

Similarly, in Mark 16:16, Jesus stated:

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16 | NKJV)

Some might argue that since Jesus did not say, "He who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned," that baptism is not necessary. However, this interpretation overlooks the simple logic that if someone does not believe, they would not seek baptism in the first place. Jesus' words are clear—belief and baptism together lead to salvation.

A useful analogy is this: If I say, "If you come to my house and mow my lawn, I will pay you $100," and then add, "If you do not come, I will not pay you anything," it is understood that if you do not come, you will not be mowing the lawn. Similarly, Jesus’ statement in Mark 16:16 indicates that belief and baptism work together for salvation.

The Teaching of the Apostles

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles continued to teach baptism as an essential part of salvation. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared in Acts 2:38:

“‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38b)

This command shows that baptism was necessary after Jesus’ resurrection. The thief on the cross, the paralyzed man, and the sinful woman were all under the Old Covenant. Today, we live under the New Covenant, in which baptism is required for salvation.

Throughout the New Testament, baptism is consistently tied to salvation. Consider these passages:

• Acts 22:16 (NKJV) – "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

• Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV) – "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

• Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) – "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Each of these passages reinforces the necessity of baptism as part of the salvation process under the New Covenant.

Conclusion

Was the thief on the cross baptized? Maybe. Maybe not. Was he saved? Yes. But does his salvation prove that baptism is unnecessary today? Absolutely not. The New Covenant, established through Jesus’ death and resurrection, commands believers to be baptized for the remission of sins.

Understanding the distinction between Jesus’ earthly ministry and the New Covenant is key to recognizing the necessity of baptism for salvation today. If you’d like to learn more about the differences between the Old and New Covenants and how they impact God’s plan of salvation, we have more articles on that topic available on the Articles page.