The Gospel of Jesus Christ as HE Taught When He Was on the Earth – Part 5 – The Thief on the Cross and Our Salvation

April 14,2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

When Jesus was on the earth, He taught the world His gospel. He did this through His words, Parables, as well as His Very Own Actions. What intrigues me is that He actually showed us His gospel through the things that He did while on the earth. To me, there is nothing more powerful than actually studying what He did while He was on the earth.

Today, we are going to learn about something so profound, but misunderstood by many. The experience of Jesus Christ and the Thief that was hanging on the cross next to Him.

In the final hours of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, two thieves were also being crucified beside Him. One of them mocked Him, but the other had a change of heart and rebuked the first thief, saying they were receiving the due reward of their deeds, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then, in simple faith, he turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42, KJV).

Jesus did not require works, church rituals, or time to for the thief to prove himself. Instead, He responded with immediate grace and authority:

“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, KJV).

Many of us have heard this story many times, yet fail to see the gospel that Christ was teaching at this very moment.

The Bible gives us only a small but very powerful account of the thief on the cross, and most of what we “know” about this thief comes directly from the Gospel of Luke in the King James Version. We are never told his name, background, or full history. He is simply described as one of two malefactors crucified beside Jesus.

The word “malefactors” in the KJV generally refers to criminals—often violent offenders or those involved in serious wrongdoing. In Roman times, crucifixion was not used for minor crimes. It was typically reserved for slaves, rebels, and serious criminals such as robbers, insurrectionists, or those considered threats to Roman authority. So historically, the thief on the cross was likely someone condemned for a major offense against Roman law, possibly robbery connected to rebellion or violence.

He represents a condemned man under Roman execution who, in his last hours, turned in faith to Christ and received immediate assurance of salvation—not through works, but through belief in Jesus at the moment of death. Can you see this teaching play out in real time?

The thief Likely had NO baptism, no tithing paid, no church attendance, little or no Good Works. Everything that you might have previously imagined necessary to “make it into heaven”, this man did not possess. NOTHING!

But Jesus Christ personally said to him, ““Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” So, where is paradise that Jesus was referring to? Let’s keep learning.

The word “paradise” in this context refers to a place of blessed rest and peace in the presence of God after death, before the resurrection and judgment.

This is supported later in Scripture where Paul uses the same idea, being “caught up into paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:4 KJV), showing it as a real place of divine presence and comfort.

So, in simple terms, Jesus was assuring the thief that upon death, he would immediately enter a place of peace with Christ Himself.

So, is paradise “Heaven”?

We can answer that question by learning when the New Heaven will be created. Scripture teaches a future “new heaven.” After the final judgment, John writes: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away” (Revelation 21:1).

Peter also says, “Nevertheless we… look for new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13). This means God will create a renewed heaven after the present world is destroyed and judgment is complete.

So, Heaven has not yet been created, as it will be after the Final Judgment. So, in this case, Paradise is not the same as going to Heaven. But there is something very telling about Paradise, where this thief was sent. Paradise is where Jesus Christ is, as He stated in the scripture:

“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This man was “saved.”

Does everyone go to paradise when they die, perhaps that is what happens to all mankind? Was the thief just going to the same place, paradise, that all mankind goes to when they die? Again, let’s return to the scriptures for more understanding of this.

For the unsaved, the KJV describes a different condition. In Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man dies and is in torment:

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…” (Luke 16:23, KJV)

This passage shows a separation between the comfort of the righteous (“Abraham’s bosom,” Luke 16:22) and the suffering of the wicked after death.

So, in KJV teaching, paradise is associated with the saved, while the unsaved go to a place of conscious separation and torment, until the final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15).

Since heaven does not exist yet, the thief went to the very best place possible, Paradise, which is where Jesus Christ resides. Others, the “unsaved,” will go to a very different place entirely, a place of conscious separation from Christ and torment.

Let’s take a moment and conclude this teaching. People who are “Saved” go to Paradise to be with Jesus Christ, then to the Judgment seat of Christ, and then “heaven.” People who are “Unsaved” go to a place of torment which does not include the presence of Jesus Christ, then to the Great White Thorne Judgment, and will then go to the “Lake of Fire.”

Back to the story for just a moment. When Jesus said “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”… that moment, the thief received salvation as a gift from Jesus Christ. That salvation was not by works, not by law-keeping, and not by religious ceremony, but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at the very end of his life.

This powerful account shows that salvation is truly a gift. The thief had no opportunity to be baptized, no chance to perform good deeds to earn God’s favor, and no ability to “fix” his past. Yet Jesus saved him instantly through faith. This aligns with the truth that salvation is not earned, it is a gift for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  

As it is written, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV).

The apostle Paul confirms this same message:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).

The thief on the cross stands as a living testimony of this truth—salvation comes through grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by human effort.

So, all of the boxes that your church says that are required to check off to be able to make it into heaven are just false teachings.  You know the list, right??

MUST be a Full Tithe Payer to the Church – Not true

Must Participate in the Church’s Saving Ordinances – Not True

Must Attend Church or Temple Frequently – Not True

Must Have Completed Lots of Good Works – Not True

Must Not Drink Coffee – Not True

Must Obey All of the Commandments – Not True

Must be Baptized – Not True

            (we will discuss this in greater detail in an upcoming writing)

Must Confess Certain Sins to Church Authority – Not True

Must Believe in a Specific Church’s Doctrine – Not True

The reason these, and many other “requirements” are NOT TRUE for salvation is because the thief on the cross had NONE of these boxes checked. Our works, have nothing to do with the saving Grace that Jesus Christ offers to all that come unto Him… Salvation, and eternal life with Jesus Christ. Can you see????

Your church has been taking some of the glory that belongs to Jesus Christ. Your church does not save you, nor do its ordnances. It is something that is between you and Jesus Christ. He gives us salvation. Not a church, nor do we earn it through our good works. This is such an important part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Jesus demonstrated this Himself gospel principle by teaching us this concept through His actions. Do you have faith in His teaching that I’m sharing with you today, or will you push it away because your church does not believe it?

There is great spiritual danger in believing a church over believing Jesus Christ. Showing faith in your church and leaders who teach doctrine different than what Christ taught is not demonstrating Faith, or Obedience. it is simply a result of being deceived, which satan is very good at. He has wiggled his way into church systems to teach false truths, among some truths, to get to the “very elect.”

I can tell you all with great certainty, that when we all die, a church will be nowhere to be found. Jesus Christ will be our leader, and the only leader. You know your church doctrine, but do you know Jesus Christ and the gospel that He taught when He was personally on the earth?

This new learning can feel uncomfortable at first, and the reason? It feels uncomfortable because you realize that you have been deceived by people you trust, and that HURTS!!!

We’ll talk more about this in upcoming writings. Until then, spend some time with God in prayer. He is fully aware of the deceptions that we have faced in our lives, and as promised, He is now revealing ALL truths so that we can KNOW.

Why does He want us to know the truth NOW? Because we face something that our parents and ancestors did not face… The 7-Year Tribulation Period! You MUST know the truth, or there is a very strong chance that you will be deceived, and this deception could cost you your very soul.

I’d like to finish this writing today to let certain people know that I am praying for them…friends and family who are going through the same truth findings that I went through 3 years ago. I know how you are feeling, learning these new true teachings can be devastating…But, I also know how God can heal a broken heart, for He has healed mine. You can trust God! You can plan on NEVER being deceived again if you trust GOD FULLY, over any man or organization.

Through prayer, God will give you your own personal revelation regarding ANY Concept that you bring to Him, for I have found great comfort in doing this myself. I now longer feel lost, or uncertain about things. God is my new leader, and HE WILL NEVER LEAD ME ASTRAY!

Come back again tomorrow, www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog . Remember when I said that Baptism is Not required for salvation, yet Jesus Himself commanded us to be baptized? Tomorrow, I will give you all of the details in understand this very topic – Baptism.