Topic(s): Baptism, God's Will, Salvation

Todd Clippard

Obviously, a will cannot be in force while the one who made it lives - Hebrews
9:16-17. However, the execution of the will generally takes some time. If my parents died, and their will specified that I was to receive the entirety of their estate, I would still have to wait until the will cleared probate, and the duly authorized individual(s) carried out the duties of executorship. I might take days, weeks, or even months until I was able to receive my inheritance.

The death of Christ and the establishment of the new covenant should be viewed in similar fashion. When Jesus died, His will began to come into effect. However, it was not until Pentecost (50 days after his death) that the executors (the apostles) proclaimed the contents of the will (remission of sins through the death/blood of Jesus).

The thief on the cross was saved because Jesus spoke his sins forgiven
(Luke 23:43). Jesus had power while on earth to remit sins (Matthew 9:1-8).
The fact that Jesus died prior to the thief is not pertinent to the discussion.

In a similar vein - there is no evidence to prove the thief on the cross had never been baptized. Multitudes of people came from Judaea to John the Baptist to be baptized of him (Matthew 3:5). Paul said a man who received the baptism of John was to believe on Him who was to come after, that is, on Jesus (Acts 19:4). The thief certainly did this. However, it is a moot point as Jesus clearly stated the thief would join Him in paradise that same day.