Interesting Facts About the Thief on the Cross
While Jesus was suffering the dreadful death of crucifixion, two thieves also were nailed to crosses beside the Lord. According to the Biblical record, one of the thieves repented. This penitent thief has been the subject for countless Bible classes and sermons. Perhaps, he is the world’s most famous thief. Consider some interesting facts about this crook who was converted to Christ.
First, the thief who repented was saved from his past sins. The Lord said, “Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus, who was deity in flesh, had the power on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). When Jesus promised the thief a place in paradise, this implied that the robber had been forgiven. Therefore, there is no doubt—the thief died in a saved condition. This teaches us that regardless of the sin we have committed, the gracious Lord is willing to forgive (II Peter 3:9).
Second, the thief was saved personally by Jesus, before the New Testament of Christ was implemented and effective. The full gospel of the New Testament was not preached until Jesus arose from the dead and ascended back to heaven. Just before his ascension, Jesus stated that “repentance and remission of sins” would be preached in his name among all nations, “beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Several days later, on the day of Pentecost, the apostles of Christ preached the full Gospel in Jerusalem just as the Lord had predicted (Acts 2:1-47). It was then that the New Testament was implemented and became effective. Keep in mind that Jesus said these things would “begin” at Jerusalem. This teaches that today we cannot be saved in the same manner as the thief on the cross was saved. He was saved personally and directly by Jesus, before the Gospel “began” to be preached in Jerusalem. Paul wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Of course, the thief could not have believed that God had raised Jesus from the dead because the thief was saved “before” Jesus died. Therefore, the thief could not have been saved by following the teachings of Romans 10:9.
Third, the thief was saved before Jesus commanded that sinners be baptized in his name for the forgiveness of sins. It was after the thief had already been saved that Jesus stated, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), and before Peter preached “Repent, and be baptized…for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This shows that we must be saved under the conditions of the New Testament. Jesus forgave the thief by speaking to him personally. Now Jesus speaks to us through his written will, the New Testament.
