One of the robbers crucified along with Jesus admitted his guilt and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told him that he would be with Him in Paradise on that day. This event continues to be a point of controversy. What can we make of this? Is Jesus establishing another way to be saved without the need for being baptized? What else did this man NOT do which is taught elsewhere in scripture? Let's engage in some good Bible study in these two lessons to find some answers.
Last time we heard Jesus make a promise to the one thief crucified beside Him, that he would be in Paradise that day with Jesus. Some folks today try to draw the conclusion from this that since this thief was not baptized then people today do not need to be baptized either. Two things make this position illogical and untenable. First, when correctly understood, scripture will never contradict itself. Second, today, we are under the New Covenant. The thief was not. Let's take a look.
From the beginning, work has been a part of God's plan. Scripture records about creation: "By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done." Adam was given the task of tending the Garden. Even Jesus was a carpenter. So, work is part of human life, and is seen by God as necessary and important. How we do our work matters to God.
