Are you baptized?
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So what about the thief on the cross next to Jesus? He was not baptized but Jesus told him he would be with Him in Paradise. Baptism does not save. It is an act of obedience showing your inward change. Only asking Jesus into your heart and life saves you. John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. No mention of baptism.
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.
Gives mercy on those He has Elect, covered with the BLOOD of Jesus.
I like where you're going with this, but define elect. In its definition is "preferred". Everything reads better after that understanding.
Predestination is a real thing, often called the elect that the Lord is after in this life.
The Lord told Paul who hesitated about going into a certain city to preach the gospel,
He told Paul to go preach to them because I have much people in this city which means his elect.
That being said all things are possible with God and I truly believe that even in the salvation process.
Always pray for those you are trying to reach.
It is God's will that determines their salvation.
Will God contradict His own word?
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.