November 23, 2025
I always caution about getting theology and/or Biblical doctrine off Facebook. I like to Facebook primarily because it is a wonderful way to keep up with my friends from over the years. I also appreciate that it offers our church a platform to extend our ministry beyond the walls of the church. The area of caution comes when I, and some of you who Facebook, see some post that while true, can lead to what I consider to be an error, or maybe even downright wrong.
One example I saw just a few days ago. The post referenced the thief on the cross and how he was saved and went to heaven at the time of his death, even though he had never been baptized or joined the church. Obviously, the inference is by applying that fact to people today, you don’t have to join a church or be baptized in order to be saved and have eternal life when you die. The problem with this inference, is the inference arises from a context that does not apply to most people. Most people are not on their death cross or death bed, when they repent and confess Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Most are able, and in a position, to be baptized and join the local church if and when they repent of their sin, confess Christ as Lord and Savior, thus securing eternal life for themselves. To compare themselves with a man who could not do what is mentioned above, to themselves who could, is wrong and unbiblical. This is because Jesus in the great commission told his disciples to “go and baptize”, clearly teaching when people are converted, those who can, should be baptized.
Jesus also said, “I will build my church.” The church is the body of believers. How can Jesus build His church if those who claim to repent, claimed to have placed their faith in Christ, and then claim eternal life don’t join a local body of believers when they are able? We won’t even mention the New Testament speaks of no personal faith in Christ outside of the context of the local church. In the context of the thief’s situation, the FB post was correct; outside of that context, it is not.
Of course, we are not promoting salvation from baptism or church membership. Salvation is only in Christ and our faith in Him. It is by grace alone and not by works (which baptism and church membership would be), if we believed that they were necessary for salvation. Again, context and situation is so important when we seek Biblical truth and application. The thief on the cross was a unique circumstance and situation. We praise the Lord for it, and the beautiful example of love Jesus reveals in it. Its uniqueness in its circumstance and situation also means you can’t apply it to just everybody carte blanche.
Therefore, I still caution you to get your theology from the Bible, and get social on Facebook.