most popular thief in the world. luke 23:39-43 jesus was crucified between two thieves both mocked...
TRANSCRIPT
Most Popular thief in the world
Luke 23:39-43 Jesus was crucified between two thieves Both mocked him - Mt.27:39-44 One asked to be remembered - v. 42
Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
V. 43
What did the thief ask ?
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
Many thought it would be an earthly kingdom Did he understand it to be a spiritual kingdom? Probably thought Christ would come down from cross When you save yourself, save me
What does Paradise mean ?
Does not mean heaven - John 20:17He was in Hades - Acts 2:27 and 31
“His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.”
Hades - realm of disembodied spiritsParadise = place where the righteous spirits remain
Rest
Torment
JesusThief
What did Christ’s answer mean ?
“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” Luke 23:43
Did not mean the grave Souls would be together in paradise Thief - stolen - SIN “You are forgiven”
Was the thief saved ?
Yes
Jesus went into paradise after his death He promised the thief would be there also
Was the thief baptized ?
Not at this time while he was on the cross
He could have been baptized earlier ! John baptized multitudes - Matt. 3:5-6 He knew something about Christ & His Kingdom He was probably a “Jew”
Not an example of conversion for us
Col. 2:14 - law of Moses - “Nailing it to his cross”Gal. 4:4 “born under the law”
both lived and died under the Law of Moses
Heb. 9:15-17“For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.”
Not an example of conversion for us
Before his death Jesus could save the thiefWhile living the testator can change his willExamples
“thy sins be forgiven” Luke 7:48Zacchaeus - Luke 19:9Man with Palsy - Mark 2:5
Not an example of conversion for us
“He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” Heb. 10:9-10
First = Law of MosesSecond = Law of Christ
Not an example of conversion for us
He gave the Great commission - Mk.16:15-16 Mt.28:19-20Terms of salvation revealed
Pentecost - Acts 2:38 - Repent + BaptismActs 2:41 - 3,000 were baptized
If the thief had been living on Pentecost he would have been baptized for the remission of his sins.
If the thief went to heaven without being baptized then I can go to heaven without being baptized.
If Enoch went to heaven without dying then I can go to heaven without dying. - Gen. 5:24
If Elijah was translated and went to heaven without dying then I can be translated and go to heaven without dying.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Heb. 9:27
Is not an example for us to follow in becoming a Christian
In Christ
= SAVED
Baptized - Gal.3:27
Confess - Rom.10:10
Hear - Rom.10:17
Believe - John8:24
Repent - Luke13:3
There were two thieves First one was saved Second one was lost
If we try to be saved like the first thief,then we will be lost like the second one.
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga. 30809
706-855-1249
[email protected]@bellsouth.net
www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org
Sunday Morning Mar. 13, 2011