The thief on the cross
(1) When Jesus was on this earth He had the authority to forgive sins. He told the paralytic “take courage, My son. Your sins are forgiven.” (Matt. 9: 1-6) he told the thief on the cross “ Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Those who are obsessed with the thief should write those two scriptures down and refer to them from time to time.
(2) When we argue against baptism in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are arguing against the authority of Jesus our Lord. [SUP]18 [/SUP]And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [SUP]19 [/SUP]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,[SUP]20 [/SUP]teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28; 18- 20) He is the one who authorized this baptism; it is no less binding than the baptism with the Spirit which He administers.
(3) When we argue against baptism in water, we are arguing against something our Lord Himself submitted to. And after being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, (Matt. 3: 16)
(4) When we say that baptism in water has nothing to do with salvation, we are contradicting our Lord. [SUP]16 [/SUP]He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (Mark 16: 16)
(5) When we say that Holy Spirit is received before baptism in the name of Christ, we are admitting we did not read Matt. 3: 16 carefully.
(6) Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thess. 1: 8)
May God bless us all with an understanding heart.