God is not bound by anything. He gives mercy to who he wishes .

Although it was a unique situation. It was before pentecost and he had no way of doing anything more.

Exactly; baptism is a profession of faith and should accompany a believer in their walk but is not always necessary for salvation. The thief on the Cross is a an example of this.

The only way to the Father (as you covered in John 14:6) is though Christ and His grace alone is enough.

Of course, we should produce fruit when we begin walking with Him but works do not save; just grace.

God can give mercy. I believe that thief is in heaven.

Also there was 21 Coptic Christians Martyred by ISIS. One of them wasn’t even Christian. ISIS offered to let him go if he converted to Islam but he said no accepted Christ right there and was Martyred with the others. He is in heaven too I bet.

You bring up an important point.

Jesus took the thief with him to paradise who was most assuredly baptized (immersed) with the Holy Spirit at some point in time. Not water.

Not water because that was John the Baptist journey. Water was to prepare the people in that locale for the coming Messiah. Not for anyone after.

John even said so.

"John 1:33 King James Version 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

The scriptures cited by young patriot above go to heart of the matter. An entire reading and understanding of the New Testament reveals the plan of salvation put forth by the writings of the apostles.

The kingdom of God has come and is NOW. We are living it today. We are not waiting for Jesus to come for a second chance. The kingdom was established on the day of Pentecost when the spirit descended on the apostles gathered in the upper room. They went out and preached the gospel…..the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus….to thousands that day in many languages, and over 3000 believed and were baptized into his death. Baptism is the key to receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Note that baptism is symbolic of the death of Jesus (you are DEADin your sins prior to immersion), you are buried with Him (under water you are dead and cannot survive), and are raised to a new life (receiving the Holy Spirit indwelling just as Christ was raised from the dead.) Baptism is deeply rooted in becoming a Christian.

Prior to the beginning of the church on that day at Pentecost, the old Mosaic law was still in effect. Jesus alone lived the law to perfection. The thief on the cross was also under the old law, and baptism into CHRIST was not in effect. John’s baptism was for folks to repent of their sins and announce the coming of the messiah and the new covenant.

Oh, look, another baseless attack on dispensationalism that is not founded in any kind of truth... dispensationalists believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit, so if you are going to criticize at least get it right...

I asked AI about your accusation against dispensationalists-

Q: Do dispensationalists believe that true baptism is water or the Holy Spirit?

Dispensationalists hold varying views on the nature of true baptism, with significant differences between mainstream and hyperdispensationalist perspectives. Mainstream dispensationalists generally believe that water baptism is a valid practice for believers today, though they may differ on its theological significance. In contrast, hyperdispensationalists, also known as mid-Acts dispensationalists or members of the Grace Movement, reject water baptism entirely. They argue that the only baptism applicable to the current "dispensation of the Grace of God" is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which occurs at the moment of salvation when the believer is made part of the "Body of Christ". This spiritual baptism is seen as an invisible, divine act performed by the Holy Spirit, not a physical ritual with water. According to this view, water baptism was a Jewish rite that was not part of the new covenant revealed through Paul, and thus is not required for believers today. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is considered the sole means by which one is incorporated into the Church, the body of Christ, and is distinct from the baptism with the Holy Spirit that occurred at Pentecost, which was for Israel. Therefore, while some dispensationalists affirm water baptism, the hyperdispensationalist position holds that true baptism is exclusively the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Q: Do the ones that affirm water baptism reject Holy Spirit baptism?

No, dispensationalists who affirm water baptism do not reject Holy Spirit baptism. Mainstream dispensationalists believe in both practices but distinguish their purposes: water baptism is seen as an outward ordinance symbolizing a believer's identification with Christ, while baptism by the Holy Spirit is understood as the spiritual act by which God places believers into the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation. These are viewed as complementary, not mutually exclusive.

Q: Do the ones who affirm water baptism teach that it is required for salvation?

No, dispensationalists who affirm water baptism do not teach that it is required for salvation. Mainstream dispensationalists view water baptism as an important act of obedience and public identification with Christ, but they clearly distinguish it from salvation, which they believe is by grace through faith alone. Water baptism is seen as the first step of discipleship and a testimony of one's faith, not a means to obtain salvation. Passages like Mark 16 are interpreted to emphasize belief as the sole condition for salvation, with baptism as a subsequent practice. This position is consistent across traditional dispensational theology.

Q: How would you evaluate the statement, "Baptism means immersion. Unfortunately most people especially Dispensationals, Think it means water," in light of these facts?

The statement "Baptism means immersion. Unfortunately most people especially Dispensationals, Think it means water," is inaccurate and misleading.

1. Baptism and Immersion: While the Greek word baptizō (βαπτίζω) primarily means "to immerse, dip, or plunge," the term "baptism" in Christian theology refers to a rite involving water—whether by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling. The mode may vary, but the element (water) is central in most biblical and historical understandings.

2. Dispensationalists and Water Baptism: The claim that dispensationalists think baptism "means water" in a simplistic or incorrect way is false. Mainstream dispensationalists affirm water baptism as a commanded ordinance for believers, viewing it as an act of obedience and public identification with Christ. They do not deny the meaning of the word "baptism" as immersion; many practice immersion specifically because of its symbolic significance.

3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Dispensationalists also affirm the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which occurs at salvation and unites believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). This is distinct from water baptism but not seen as a redefinition of the term—rather, as a spiritual reality symbolized, not replaced, by the water rite.

4. Hyperdispensationalist Exception: A minority view, hyperdispensationalism, rejects water baptism entirely, teaching that only Spirit baptism is relevant today. But this is not representative of mainstream dispensational theology.

In short, the statement misrepresents both the linguistic facts and dispensational belief. Baptism involves water, and most dispensationalists rightly understand it as an immersion-based ordinance symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.

There are groups that teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation, such as Churches of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, Lutherans, however dispensationalists are not part of that group.

Mainstream dispensational theology clearly affirms that salvation is by grace through faith alone, apart from any works, including water baptism. While they view water baptism as an important act of obedience and public identification with Christ, it is not considered necessary for salvation. This is consistently taught across dispensational sources, which emphasize that the baptism which unites a believer to Christ is the Spirit's baptism at the moment of faith, not some water ritual.

I have addressed your misrepresentation of the dispensational boogeyman, as for the rest of your comment, I wholeheartedly agree. Water has nothing to do with eternal life. Baptismal regeneration is a works based theology that turns baptism into another gospel, replacing belief in Christ with works for salvation, and it is right to call it out, but when you are calling it out it should be against those who actually teach such heresy.