Divine Order
Many believe the Thief on the cross proves salvation without baptism, but that is far from reality. At the time the thief was forgiven
1. Jesus had not died yet.
2. Jesus had not risen.
3. Christian baptism had not yet been commanded.
4. The apostles had not yet been officially sent.
5. Christians not officially called.
These five points are illuminated in an orderly fashion in Romans and in other letters. Romans demonstrates this in order as do the Gospels. Romans actually follows the order of the Gospel accounts in its presentation.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Notice he says death and resurrection took place before grace and official apostleship, before obedience to his name, and before the calling of the Romans.
Romans actually follows the order of the Gospels.
Mark
The thieves Mk 15:27
The death Mk 15:20 Mk 15:37
The resurrection Mk 16:6
The command of baptism Mk 16:15-16
The great commission
All of the Gospels represent this order.
Christ's Death = ratification of covenant and atonement.
The resurrection = Justification of faith in Christ
The command = covenant implementation in baptism
The thief Luke 23:42
Death Lk 23:46
Resurrection Lk 24:6
Preaching salvation future Lk 24:47
The commission
Matthew is no different, the great commission of the Apostles follows the thieves, death, resurrection, commandment and commission.
We see this at the end of Romans as well.
This divine order is clearly seen in all of Christian writings. Jesus had to die and be raised before our baptism could have any meaning. We are baptized into his death and in baptism raised with Christ. Romans 6:3-4
Thus the death and resurrection had to come before Christian baptism, so the thief was forgiven before the New Covenant.
The thief was never an exampleof New Covenant salvation, for the thief was forgiven before Christ's death, before the resurrection, and before the command of baptism, before the preaching of remission of sins in Christ's name.
Nor was he an exception to Christ's New Testament order.
We do have a divine order portrayed in the Gospels. King David testified we must approach God through the divine order.
1Ch_15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
Both Baptists and Catholics violate this order in salvation.
Christian salvation took place after the word of the lord would be proclaimed.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
(Notice the Romans already had Christ's word in them, and had already been baptized)
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(The Romans needed ongoing confession of their beliefs, salvation here is something future, so disavowing the teaching of Christ is the opposite of the ongoing confession)
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Rom 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
Rom 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
We see that faith and obedience were only possible after the Apostles were sent and the people called.
Catholics teach each Christian teacher must be sent by the Catholic Church, but this is speaking of the early Apostles, and then the early apostles allowed all Christians to pass their faith to others.
The point is, the thief on the cross was saved before
Christ died
Christ Rose
Christ Commanded baptism
Before the great commission
Before the Apostles preached salvation in Christ's name
Before the Christian calling
Before obedience to the Gospel was possible
Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Romans was never meant to teach salvation without the command of baptism, and it recorded the divine order prescribed in all four Gospel records.
Also, remember the scriptures of the prophets referenced by Paul wasn't the Old Testament prophets only, but Gospel scriptures written by prophets of the early church, so that from this point forward scripture would be the means to teach nations. The Catholic theory that some could not read so man could not be bound to the scriptures is false, Those teaching orally did so by use of the scriptures.