WHERE THERE IS LIFE, THERE IS HOPE – PART 1
Author: Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans
Translator: Robin Barker
I want to share with you the following question that someone sent to me and also my answer to the question as well as a following-up writing in connection with this matter. I also want to discuss something with you that came to light when I was busy writing the answer to this question.
In one of my writings I made the comment that the man on the cross, who after his death went to Heaven, was not baptised and yet ended up in Heaven.
Someone then wrote to me and asked me to prove through the Word, that the man was not baptised.
Here is then how I see the matter through the Word, that the man was not baptised before his death.
According to two very reliable witnesses, namely Matthew and Mark, he was already on the cross when Jesus was ridiculed/mocked:
MATT 27:44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Both of them)
MARK 15:32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Both of them)
Everything that the convicted criminal said to Jesus we do not know. But every true child of God will agree with me when I say that it is not possible for someone who truly accepts Jesus as his Redeemer and Saviour and is baptised – it is almost unlikely to anticipate insulting Jesus, God who became flesh, and according to the Word he insulted Jesus.
The Word says the following about Jesus, which you and I have accepted as our Redeemer and Saviour:
JOHN 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
JOHN 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
As I have said:
Every true child of God who reads this will agree with me when I say that it is not possible for someone who has truly been converted and have been baptised, and has accepted Jesus as his/her Redeemer and Saviour, that they would even contemplate insulting Jesus.
It is just not possible that I can insult Jesus, with Jesus’s Holy Spirit living with in me.
The Word also says:
1 COR 12:3 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
This man as you have just read insulted Jesus.
We do not know what this man had done but somewhere after his last insult LUKE 23:40, something happened between him and Jesus and so we read:
LUKE 23:40-42
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
So, how do I know that this criminal had given himself to Jesus and without being baptised and still going to Heaven?
Because, how absolutely wonderful is our loving Lord’s great love and grace!
We read:
LUKE 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
You cannot be with Jesus in paradise, if you have not accepted Him as your Redeemer and Saviour. Because Jesus said:
JOHN 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
This is how I understand and believe that the criminal without being baptised went to Heaven.
Please, please remember that I am not saying that getting baptised is something that you may or may not do.
I am just saying that there are instances where people who have not been baptised, have entered eternity and have ended up in Heaven and that there will be still many people who, before Jesus returns, will end up in Heaven, for example on their death beds they have made it right with Jesus and will end up in Heaven although they have not been baptised.
In my following writing I share with you what we can do for our loved ones whose matter with Jesus has not been set right and who also do not want to listen to our guidance concerning repentance.
Greetings,
Sakkie