Christians, what theology do you see...?

Excellent question! The evildoer on the stake who showed a measure of faith in Jesus, impaled alongside, was given the promise of being in Paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) While some have endeavored to read into this promise the idea that the evildoer was thereby guaranteed life everlasting in heaven, the evidence of the many scriptures does not support this. Though he admitted the wrongness of his criminal activity in contrast with Jesus’ innocence (Luke 23:41), there is nothing to show that the evildoer had come to ‘hate badness and love righteousness’; in his dying state he obviously was in no position to ‘turn around’ and produce the “works that befit repentance”; he had not been baptized. (Acts 3:19; 26:20) It therefore appears that upon his resurrection from the dead he will be given the opportunity to take this course.

Oh! any one can be saved by faith in christ jesus john 3:16

you have to confess jesus to be saved romans 10:9

you must confess your sins and repent 1 john 1:9

If you are to ask forgiveness from God, in the very last moment of your life, you will be forgiven.

This is what transpired with the thief beside Christ on the Cross.

The lesson is obvious, and is one of the most solid blocks in the church of Jesus Christ.

I can't sit here and quote the Bible, nor do I wish to...

BUT

I remember that " if you have faith the size of a mustard seed..." then you will be saved.

I am so glad I believe that

Dear Friend,

Jesus saw a man who humbled himself and 'believed' (through trust and faith) and therefore, Jesus used the thief on the cross as an example to all of humanity. God examines our heart; our motive and intent.

This should be an example to everyone today. God does not care about man made religious denominations and traditions, nor our finite beliefs, opinions, etc. but our "heart." Either we are for God or against Him.

Tender blessings,

It is truly a reminder of how loving God is even for those on the lesser margins of society.

I don't speak for the other denominations, but I know that the Catholic Church teaches that it is possible for non-Christians and of course protestants to be saved.

Obviously it doesn't specify a percentage or liklihood, but I think way too many underestimate God's love for us

any one can be saved by faith in christ jesus john 3:16

you have to confess jesus to be saved romans 10:9

you must confess your sins and repent 1 john 1:9

Matthew 28:19: Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit."

Mark 16:15-16:

He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38

Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.

The Catholic Church believes that Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have heard the Gospel and have had the opportunity of asking for Baptism.

Therefore

• Those who die for the sake of the faith without being Baptized are baptized by their death for Christ. This is called Baptism of blood.

• Those who die while preparing for Baptism are assured salvation. This is Baptism of desire.

• Those who die never hearing of Christ but have sought the truth and does the will of God as they understand it can be saved. See Romans 2:13-16. This is also Baptism of desire.

• Children who have died without Baptism are entrusted to the mercy of God.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1257-1261.

With love in Christ.

Excellent question.

The thief realised that there was nothing he could do by his own efforts to redeem himself - religion is futile, because it is a man-made attempt to reconcile with God. You can't get rid of the bad crap you've done in your life on your own. Good deeds don't cancel out bad deeds.

Instead, the thief turned to Jesus.

Jesus provided the solution to man's sin; he took the blame upon himself so that humanity would be set free.

Jesus defeated the need for religion.

And after the thief's six words of repentance, Jesus told him:

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

We are not saved by our own efforts; we are saved because of the grace (undeserved mercy) of God, the creator of the universe

It means to me that I can wipe the Creeds with my butt, and anything else those geniuses decided in their f--ing ecumenical councils, and just look in the Bible and see what Jesus said. See, I figure Jesus talked about the important things. The councils, even the one in Acts 1, argued about things God never brought up and then made them mandatory.

The Lord makes us Holy (dedicated, pure), not water, not a priest, not a Creed, just faith in Christ to which God honors the trust and makes us saved. Period.

If someone wants to screw up the church, just hold another ecumenical council. That's all it takes.

Plain and simple - that thief knew who Jesus was (son of God) as revealed to him thru the Holy Spirit. And he repented of his sin and more/less asked to be forgiven. In that instant, Jesus accepted him before the Father in Heaven and that is why he told the thief "today you will be with me in paradise".