Essays
The Power to Forgive
The POWER TO FORGIVE
Concerning Jesus, Lk.5:24 states, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”. Some have tried to use the story of the thief on the cross as an exception to prove that baptism is not essential to salvation in our present time. We cannot say with abso-lute certainty that the thief had never been baptized. Could he have been one who began to follow Jesus only to later fall away? Under
the preaching of John the baptizer many were converted to the way of the Lord. Matthew’s gospel notes that, “Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins” (Mt.3:5-6). Likewise, Jesus and His disciples engaged in baptizing many disciples (Jn.3:22 & 4:1-2). Many who were labeled as “zealots” flocked to Jesus in the early days of His preaching only to later become insurrectionists, disenchanted with His Messiahship.
However, even if the thief on the cross was not previously baptized, Jesus as God in the flesh, was quite capable of declaring his sins to be forgiven, with our without baptism. Such might well be the case in other instances like those in Lk.5:20 & Lk.7:48. However, we must not use these exceptions to create a new norm. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the New Covenant (His will & testament) becomes our guide and standard. Today, the challenge remains: WE MUST NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN (1Cor.4:6). As to the subject of baptism, the Acts Of The Apostles is quite clear - - baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (cf. Acts 2:38; 8:38; 10:48; 16:15 & 22:16). Jesus commanded His disciples, “He who has believed and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mk.16:16). The Holy Spirit was given to guide the apostles in teaching truth (Jn.16:13). If God in His mercy chooses to save someone who has not been baptized, that is certainly His prerogative, but for us to teach others that baptism is not an essential element of God’s plan of salvation - - such goes beyond our calling.
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
