[To find Table of Contents Hyperlinks on smart phones, click the 3 horizontal lines at top of each page]


The Thief on the cross and baptism.

The thief on the cross was taken to Paradise under the old dispensation, he did not need to be baptized, his situation was like OT saints who had died; the church had not even come into existence yet. Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38 told prospective members of the church: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Remember Jesus' own baptism?

Mat.3:16

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was

opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice

from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Baptism makes us sons also! See Gal. 3:26-27