ONE DAY AS I PREACHED IN THE JAIL IN MANY, LA. ONE OF THE PRISONERS WAS ASKED TO PRAY, AND HE BEGIN HIS PRAYER WITH THESE WORDS, "LORD, WE KNOW THAT YOU TOOK A THIEF TO HEAVEN WITH YOU." LET ME AT THIS TIME INTRODUCE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD EVER FORMED, OR EVER SHALL BE FORMED.

Is:43:10: Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Is:43:11: I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour'

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD FORMED, OR EVER SHALL BE FORMED, AND HE WAS FORMED FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

Jn:1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (KJV)

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD EVER FORMED, FORMED FROM THE WORD OF GOD, THE FIRST BORN OF EVERY CREATURE. WHAT IS A CREATURE? SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN CREATED. THE APOSTLE PAUL RECORDS THESE WORDS ABOUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Col:1:12: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col:1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Col:1:14: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Col:1:15: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD THAT HAS EVER BEEN FORMED, OR EVER SHALL BE FORMED, FORMED FROM THE WORD OF GOD, FORMED IN THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER. WE, THE CHILDREN OF GOD, ARE FORMED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, BUT NOT IN THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF GOD. WHEN YOU SEE JESUS CHRIST, HE WILL LOOK EXACTLY AS THE FATHER. FOR HE WAS FORMED IN THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER. JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPOTENT, ALL POWERFUL. OMNISCIENT, HAS UNLIMITED KNOWLEDGE. OMNIPRESENT PRESENT ALL PLACES AT ALL TIMES.

Heb:1:1: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb:1:2: Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb:1:3: Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD EVER FORMED, FORMED FROM THE WORD OF GOD, THE FIRST BORN OF EVERY CREATURE, CREATED IN THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER, WHEN GOD CREATED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HE CREATED HIM EQUAL TO HIMSELF. FOR ANY TWO THINGS TO BE EQUAL, THEY MUST BE IDENTICAL. THEREFORE WAS CHRIST JESUS CREATED OF THE SAME SUBSTANCE AS THE FATHER? WAS HE CREATED WITH THE SAME POWER AS THE FATHER? YES, HE WAS CREATED IDENTICAL TO ALL MIGHTY GOD, THE FATHER.

Phil:2:6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (KJV)

TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF THE CREATING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. HE CREATED THE SUN, AND THE MOON AND THE STARS AND HANG THEM IN SPACE IN ONE DAY. JESUS CHRIST CREATED ADAM, AND PLACED ALL MANKIND IN HIM IN ONE DAY. COME INTO THIS KNOWLEDGE CHILD OF GOD, GOD THE FATHER CREATED JESUS CHRIST, THEN IT WAS BY JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THINGS WERE CREATED.

Eph:3:9: And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)

BELOVED OF GOD, IT IS JESUS CHRIST THAT BAPTIZES US WITH THE HOLY GHOST. AFTER THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, HE CAME TO HIS DISCIPLES AND BREATHED ON THEM AND SAID, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST. THIS WAS THE RECONCILIATION OF GOD, AND MAN.

Jn:20:19: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Jn:20:20: And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Jn:20:21: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Jn:20:22: And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

AND NOW CHILDREN OF GOD, LET ME EXPLAIN WHY I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF THAT JESUS CHRIST TOOK WITH HIM TO PARADISE WAS BAPTISED. I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS BAPTIZED BECAUSE HE WAS A MAN OF FAITH, A MAN THAT KNEW HOW TO PRAY, A MAN THAT TESTIFIED OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS, A MAN THAT CALLED JESUS CHRIST, LORD. ALSO, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER, AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT, LET ME REPEAT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD; AND I BELIEVE THAT PARADISE IS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD ; AND THE SCRIPTURES CANNOT BE BROKEN.

Lk:23:32: And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

Lk:23:33: And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Lk:23:39: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Lk:23:40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Lk:23:41: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

k:23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Lk:23:43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

THERE ARE MEN, HERETIC'S, THAT SAY THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE WAS NOT BAPTISED. LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK WITH HIM TO PARADISE WAS NOT BAPTISED. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU MAY SAY, THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS HE WAS BAPTISED. IF THE BIBLE WERE TO MENTION THE NAME OF EVERY MAN THAT WAS BAPTISED, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A BOOK SO LARGE, THAT A MAN COULD NOT CARRY IT. LET ME POINT OUT SOME OF THE REASONS I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF THAT JESUS TOOK TO PARADISE WAS BAPTISED. FIRST OF ALL, LET'S CONSIDER WHEN WAS HE BAPTIZED? THINK ON THIS, JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED WITH THE THIEF AND HE WAS BAPTIZED BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF WAS BAPTIZED BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION. WAS BAPTISM AVAILABLE TO HIM BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION? YES, JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS BAPTISING, AND THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE BAPTISING. ABOUT THREE THOUSAND WAS ADDED TO THE CHURCH IN ONE DAY.

Acts:2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts:2:39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts:2:40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Acts:2:41: Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

BELOVED OF GOD, THERE WERE THREE THOUSAND SOULS ADDED TO THE CHURCH IN ONE DAY. THEREFORE, WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT BAPTISM WAS AVAILABLE TO HIM. LISTEN CAREFULLY, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER, BAPTISED, AND BORN OF THE SPIRIT, RECEIVING THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST; HE CANNOT, LET ME REPEAT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. AND, I BELIEVE THAT PARADISE IS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Jn:3:5: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)

IF A PERSON RUNS REFERENCE ON THAT VERSE OF SCRIPTURE, IT WILL REFER YOU TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

Mk:16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)

THAT VERSE OF SCRIPTURE PLAINLY STATES IF A MAN BELIEVES, AND IS BAPTISED, HE SHALL BE SAVED. BUT THERE IS AN IMPLIED CONTRACT, THAT IF HE IS NOT BAPTISED HE SHALL BE DAMNED. LET ME AT THIS TIME, POINT OUT THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE, THAT IS TO SAY THAT I KNOW OF, FOR A PERSON TO GET INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST. AND THAT IS THROUGH BAPTISM. THINK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT VERSE OF SCRIPTURE.

Gal:3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV)

SAINTS OF GOD, YOU MAY WONDER WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST? IN CHRIST IS WERE THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS WORSHIP GOD, IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS WERE WE ARE RECONCILED TO GOD THE FATHER, IN CHRIST IS WERE ETERNAL LIFE IS.

1Jn:5:11: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

ANOTHER REASON I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS BAPTIZED IS, HE CALLED JESUS CHRIST, "LORD". NO MAN CAN CALL JESUS CHRIST "LORD" EXCEPT IT BE REVEALED TO HIM BY THE HOLY GHOST.

1Cor:12:3: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

SAINTS OF GOD, I BELIEVE THAT THE MALEFACTOR THAT JESUS CARRIED WITH HIM TO PARADISE WAS A GOD FEARING MAN. BECAUSE HE SAID THESE WORDS. DOST NOT THOU FEAR GOD, SEEING THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION.

Lk:23:39: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Lk:23:40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

YES, THE MAN THAT CHRIST BLESSED WITH EVERLASTING LIFE WAS A THIEF. BUT, WE ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. LISTEN CAREFULLY CHILDREN OF GOD, AS I READ THE TESTIMONY OF THE RIGHTEOUS MALEFACTOR AS HE TESTIFIES TO THE RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND INNOCENTS, OF JESUS CHRIST. WITH THESE WORDS, "THIS MAN HAS DONE NOTHING AMISS".

Lk:23:40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Lk:23:41: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

THE MAN THAT CHRIST TOOK WITH HIM TO PARADISE WAS A PRAYING MAN, FOR HE PRAYED THIS PRAYER.

Lk:23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

THE RIGHTEOUS MALEFACTOR WAS A MAN OF FAITH, AND HOPE, BECAUSE THOUGH HE HAD NEVER SEEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, YET HE KNEW BY FAITH, THAT IT EXISTED, AND WANTED TO BE HEIR, AND JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS IN HIS KINGDOM. I BELIEVE THAT HE TESTIFIED TO HIS FAITH, AND HOPE WITH THESE WORDS.

Lk:23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

BELOVED, COMPARE HOW MEN, AND WOMEN TESTIFY THAT ARE CARNAL MINDED, WITH THE TESTIMONY OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN, A JUST MAN, A MAN OF FAITH. LISTEN AS I READ THE TESTIMONY OF THE UNJUST, THE CARNAL MINDED, THE FAITHLESS.

Lk:23:35: And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Lk:23:36: And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

Lk:23:37: And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

Lk:23:38: And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Lk:23:39: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

HOLY CHILDREN, LET ME CONCLUDE WITH THESE WORDS, BE STRONG IN FAITH, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY. FOR BY YOUR WORDS YOU SHALL BE SAVED, AND BY YOUR WORDS YOU SHALL BE CONDEMNED. SOLOMON WAS INSPIRED TO RECORD THESE WORDS.

Eccl:12:13: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Eccl:12:14: For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.