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		<title>Can I can still go to heaven without being baptized?</title>
		<description>Discuss Can I can still go to heaven without being baptized?</description>
		<link>http://www.bible.org.nz/common-qa/can-i-can-still-go-to-heaven-without-being-baptized.html</link>
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			<title>Jason says:</title>
			<link>http://www.bible.org.nz/common-qa/can-i-can-still-go-to-heaven-without-being-baptized.html#comment-49</link>
			<description><![CDATA[ We must firstly distinguish between the baptism of John, and the baptism of Jesus and his disciples. The former baptism was practiced by John in the waters of the Jordan, and was for repentance and remission of sin. Its intention was to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord Jesus (Mark 1:4; see Acts 10:37; 13:24; 18:25; 19:3). The baptism of Jesus, however, was in essence a representation of the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:4–6). This latter baptism is that which was practiced by the disciples of Jesus, and was emphasised as being an essential step for followers of Jesus (Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:2). However, this baptism was not available at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, since he had not yet been buried and —three days later — been resurrected. Jesus died while the Jews and people of the land were under the Law of Moses. So the thief on the cross could not —and needed not—have undertaken baptism as a prerequisite for salvation through Jesus. The matter you raise regarding baptism is therefore immaterial with respect to the thief. However, you raise a second issue regarding a Heaven/Paradise after death. The New Testament clearly indicates that there is a Kingdom of God that is to be established, and those resurrected from the death state may have a part in it. But that kingdom has yet to be set up and the resurrection yet to take place. “Thy kingdom come…” is the prayer he asked his followers to voice, and that still comes through to us today as something yet future. Popular religion claims that when people die they either go to heaven, or go to hell. That implies judgment; yet Jesus said he would return to earth to judge the living and the dead following the resurrection. He has yet to return. So if people have already been judged (according to whether they went to heaven or hell on death), why the need for a second judgment whereby a person in heaven could be assigned to hell, or vice versa? It makes nonsense of the New Testament message. What then of the thief? Verse 43 of Luke 23 reads: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Now, very strangely, neither Justin (AD.100?–165. The books ascribed to Justin with certainty are the two Apologies for the Christians, and the Dialogue with Trypho the Jew) nor Irenæus (Wrote AD.170–190. As a child he heard Polycarp, who was a disciple of John) cite this verse, though these two writers had quoted almost every verse in Luke’s Gospel that related to the crucifixion. Neither does Tertullian (about AD.220) quote the verse, although he wrote about the intermediate state, and cited almost every text. Why would these writers have omitted quoting Luke 23:43, a verse so important to their message? Why would Mathew, Mark and John forget to mention this amazing act? Was it a later addition? The verse was lacking from the copies of Marcion (about AD.140) and other ‘reputed heretics’ of that time; and was wanting from the older copies at the time of Origen (AD.155?–222?). These facts raise doubt that the verse under consideration is an authentic part of Scripture, but added in the third Century to allow for the possibility of deathbed repentance. Such a scenario would account for some apparent inconsistencies resulting from the present text.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:39:17 +0000</pubDate>
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			<title>Nick says:</title>
			<link>http://www.bible.org.nz/common-qa/can-i-can-still-go-to-heaven-without-being-baptized.html#comment-42</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The thief on the cross was not baptized but Jesus said you will be with me in Paradise? Does this not mean there is a Heaven/Paradise after death and you do not need to be baptized?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Nick</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:42:20 +0000</pubDate>
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			<title>carleda says:</title>
			<link>http://www.bible.org.nz/common-qa/can-i-can-still-go-to-heaven-without-being-baptized.html#comment-32</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Thanx, I needed to read this I have not yet been baptized and I have five small children I hope and pray we become saved and as one with the Lord. Because I do believe]]></description>
			<dc:creator>carleda</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 04:27:55 +0000</pubDate>
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