The Scriptures Teach Water Baptism is Essential To Enter Grace
(Mk. 16:15, 16; Jn. 3:5; Acts 2:38; 8:36, 27; 10:47; 16:14, 33, 34; 18:8; 22:16; Rom. 6:3, 4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph. 2:6; 5:26; Col. 2:11-13; Titus 3:6; Heb. 10:22; 1 Pet. 3:21)

“If baptism is essential, what about the thief on the cross?”

Why does no one ask, "If Christ's death is essential, what about the thief on the cross?" or "If Christ's blood is essential, what about the thief on the cross?" or "If Christ's resurrection is essential, what about the thief on the cross?"

Must I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead to be saved through grace?

Paul: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). But, “What about the thief on the cross?” He didn’t believe that!

Rather than running to the THIEF, why not be saved like the CHIEF OF SINNERS (1 Tim. 1:15)? We live on the CHIEF’S side of the cross, not the THIEF’S.

How was the chief of sinners saved? ANSWER: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

CHARTS BELOW SHOW THAT GRACE IS ACCESSED "BY FAITH" AND "THROUGH BAPTISM."

--Steven J. Wallace