Whenever we say “baptize saves” and “baptism is necessary for salvation” someone will inevitably bring up the example of the thief on the cross as an example against what the Bible says about baptism. If we examine this oft-cited example we see that the thief on the cross actually helps us understand the doctrine of ‘baptismal regeneration,’ that is, that God does save sinners in baptism. This example also teaches us the necessity of faith in Christ for justification.
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