WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

[HTacianas]

That is all extra-Biblical. It is not a commandment, nor is it demonstrated in Scripture in that manner (neither the anointing of the building (of which there is no Biblical precedent for doing) nor of the person).

Christian doctrine comes from the Bible. If it isn't in the Bible, then it should not be taught as doctrine. The passages you pointed to do not portray any of what I find about what "christmation" is supposed to be. The laying on of hands by the Apostles did not bring a person into the Church. It conveyed the Holy Spirit's miraculous empowerment to the people upon whom the Apostles laid their hands. No one other than the Apostles is ever portrayed as being able to do this, and the there are no more Apostles (haven't been since John died). So the entire practice of "christmation" is extra-Biblical, and should not be taught as "Christian doctrine".

The Apostles passed that gift down to their successors and to others. Ananias of Damascus had that gift else he could not have baptized Paul. And your characterization of chrismation as being "extra-biblical" is a rule of your own creation. There is an unbroken chain of commentaries from the Apostles through the Church Fathers and right down to today that attest to Christian doctrine.

 

[Doug Brents]

The Apostles passed that gift down to their successors and to others.

There are not "successors" to the Apostles. There have only ever been 14 Apostles. And all of them had to fulfill the requirements of being with Christ from His baptism to His ascension (Acts 1:22). Paul spent three years in Arabia and Damascus learning directly from Jesus (Gal 1:11-12, 17). No others qualified as Apostles (except Barsabbas, and he was not chosen by the Holy Spirit to be an Apostle).

Ananias of Damascus had that gift else he could not have baptized Paul.

All Christ followers have the mandate from God to baptize others into Christ (Matt 28:19ff). And it does not require giving miraculous gifts to people to baptize them. Philip baptized the Samaritans into Christ (Acts 8:4ff), but they did not receive miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit when he baptized them, because Peter and John came down later to give them miraculous gifts (Acts 8:14ff).

And your characterization of chrismation as being "extra-biblical" is a rule of your own creation. There is an unbroken chain of commentaries from the Apostles through the Church Fathers and right down to today that attest to Christian doctrine.

There is a fabricated chain of commentaries (man made documents that are not Scripture) that the catholic church made up and recognized as valid, but those do not constitute "Christian doctrine". They, like the talmud and the writings by the Pharisees, are extraBiblical, and are not to be taken as doctrine for the Church. This is precisely what Jesus was condemning in Matt 23.

 

[HTacianas]

There are not "successors" to the Apostles. There have only ever been 14 Apostles. And all of them had to fulfill the requirements of being with Christ from His baptism to His ascension (Acts 1:22). Paul spent three years in Arabia and Damascus learning directly from Jesus (Gal 1:11-12, 17). No others qualified as Apostles (except Barsabbas, and he was not chosen by the Holy Spirit to be an Apostle).

All Christ followers have the mandate from God to baptize others into Christ (Matt 28:19ff). And it does not require giving miraculous gifts to people to baptize them. Philip baptized the Samaritans into Christ (Acts 8:4ff), but they did not receive miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit when he baptized them, because Peter and John came down later to give them miraculous gifts (Acts 8:14ff).

There is a fabricated chain of commentaries (man made documents that are not Scripture) that the catholic church made up and recognized as valid, but those do not constitute "Christian doctrine". They, like the talmud and the writings by the Pharisees, are extraBiblical, and are not to be taken as doctrine for the Church. This is precisely what Jesus was condemning in Matt 23.

Once again you are saying a thing that contradicts what is written. Peter and John did not go to Samaria to give them any sort of "miraculous gifts" but to convey to them the Holy Spirit. That is plainly written at Acts 8:14-17.
And there is no "fabricated chain of commentaries". That is a bald assertion on your part. You seem to accept the Scripture handed down by those men (of course with the caveat that you can change what it plainly says) but you don't accept the teachings of those men allegedly because they can't be found in the Scripture they gave you.

 

[Doug Brents]

Once again you are saying a thing that contradicts what is written. Peter and John did not go to Samaria to give them any sort of "miraculous gifts" but to convey to them the Holy Spirit. That is plainly written at Acts 8:14-17.

They already had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What they didn't have was miraculous empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Everyone who is in Christ has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 15-18, 1 Cor 6:19-20). And the Samaritans had believed the Gospel and been baptized into Christ (Acts 8:16). So they had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There can be no question about that. When Luke says that the Samaritans "had not yet received the Holy Spirit", he is not talking about the indwelling of the Spirit.

And there is no "fabricated chain of commentaries". That is a bald assertion on your part. You seem to accept the Scripture handed down by those men (of course with the caveat that you can change what it plainly says) but you don't accept the teachings of those men allegedly because they can't be found in the Scripture they gave you.

What the "priests" of the catholic church wrote hundreds of years after the Apostles wrote the last of the Scriptures does not constitute Godly writing. Yes, they are fabrications because Peter was never a "pope", and he is not the foundation upon which the Church is built (that would be the confession he gave that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matt 16:16)). The pope is a fabrication of the catholic "church", and has nothing whatsoever to do with Biblical truth. There is not even supposed to be a separate "clergy" class. All Christ followers are priests to God and saints (1 Pet 2:5-9), with Jesus as our High Priest (Heb 4:14).

 

[HTacianas]

They already had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What they didn't have was miraculous empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Everyone who is in Christ has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 15-18, 1 Cor 6:19-20). And the Samaritans had believed the Gospel and been baptized into Christ (Acts 8:16). So they had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There can be no question about that. When Luke says that the Samaritans "had not yet received the Holy Spirit", he is not talking about the indwelling of the Spirit.

What the "priests" of the catholic church wrote hundreds of years after the Apostles wrote the last of the Scriptures does not constitute Godly writing. Yes, they are fabrications because Peter was never a "pope", and he is not the foundation upon which the Church is built (that would be the confession he gave that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matt 16:16)). The pope is a fabrication of the catholic "church", and has nothing whatsoever to do with Biblical truth. There is not even supposed to be a separate "clergy" class. All Christ followers are priests to God and saints (1 Pet 2:5-9), with Jesus as our High Priest (Heb 4:14).

This is now the third time you have contradicted what is written but claim you are following what is written. Acts 8:16 plainly states that the men had not in fact received the Holy Spirit but you say they did because of your tradition.

As to a "clergy class", Church hierarchy can be found at 1 Corinthians 12:28. And pay special attention to 12:29

And by the way, "Pope" is a nickname. The Pope's title is Bishop of Rome. The Catholics call him Pope based on their own tradition.

 

[Doug Brents]

This is now the third time you have contradicted what is written but claim you are following what is written. Acts 8:16 plainly states that the men had not in fact received the Holy Spirit but you say they did because of your tradition.

No, I posted the Scriptures that say that all who are in Christ have the indwelling of the Spirit. We are told that these Samaritan men had been baptized into Christ. Therefore, the meaning you attribute to the phrase "had not received the Spirit" cannot be referring to the indwelling of the Spirit. It must be referring to some other attribute of the Spirit. And the other way we see that phrase used is in reference to the miraculous empowerment provided by the Spirit. That is what the phrase in this instance is referring to, not to the indwelling of the Spirit as you would like to make it.

As to a "clergy class", Church hierarchy can be found at 1 Corinthians 12:28. And pay special attention to 12:29

As has been said, the Apostles have ceased to be an office in the Church. As for the rest, those are a hierarchy of gifts given to any and all Christ followers. The only position of authority given in the Church today is that of Elder/Shepherd/Bishop, and the qualifications for that office are given in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1. And those qualifications require that elders be married (which excludes ALL of the catholic priests since they take a vow of chastity). They are also required to be the fathers (so no women) of believing children (again, this excludes ALL of the catholic priests since they cannot bear children if they adhere to their vow of chastity, and are oath breakers if they do father children).

And by the way, "Pope" is a nickname. The Pope's title is Bishop of Rome. The Catholics call him Pope based on their own tradition.

There is no reference to a single bishop/elder/shepherd in a city or congregation of the Church. The eldership is required to be a group of at least two (more depending on the size of the congregation and the needs of the Body over which they serve). While "the pope" may be a nickname for that position, that position is not Biblical to begin with.

 

[HTacianas]

No, I posted the Scriptures that say that all who are in Christ have the indwelling of the Spirit. We are told that these Samaritan men had been baptized into Christ. Therefore, the meaning you attribute to the phrase "had not received the Spirit" cannot be referring to the indwelling of the Spirit. It must be referring to some other attribute of the Spirit. And the other way we see that phrase used is in reference to the miraculous empowerment provided by the Spirit. That is what the phrase in this instance is referring to, not to the indwelling of the Spirit as you would like to make it.

As has been said, the Apostles have ceased to be an office in the Church. As for the rest, those are a hierarchy of gifts given to any and all Christ followers. The only position of authority given in the Church today is that of Elder/Shepherd/Bishop, and the qualifications for that office are given in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1. And those qualifications require that elders be married (which excludes ALL of the catholic priests since they take a vow of chastity). They are also required to be the fathers (so no women) of believing children (again, this excludes ALL of the catholic priests since they cannot bear children if they adhere to their vow of chastity, and are oath breakers if they do father children).

There is no reference to a single bishop/elder/shepherd in a city or congregation of the Church. The eldership is required to be a group of at least two (more depending on the size of the congregation and the needs of the Body over which they serve). While "the pope" may be a nickname for that position, that position is not Biblical to begin with.

1 Corinthians 12:29 asks rhetorically, "are all Apostles?, are all pastors" etc. The obvious answer is "no". Yet you claim that everyone is. That's four times now.

Now, if there is to be two elders, where do you get that from? See the Revelation and it's address to the "angel" of each of the seven churches. Angel means messenger. The messengers in that case are the Bishops of the seven churches. One apiece.

 

[Doug Brents]

1 Corinthians 12:29 asks rhetorically, "are all Apostles?, are all pastors" etc. The obvious answer is "no". Yet you claim that everyone is. That's four times now.

No, I have said that NO ONE is an Apostle today. No, everyone is not an elder/pastor/shepherd/bishop (these four are all synonymous and can be used interchangeably). I have never said that everyone is an Apostle, or that everyone is an Elder. On the contrary, I have said that there are NO Apostles today, and that those who would be Elders must meet very strict conditions.

But every Christ follower is a priest in the New Covenant Church (1 Pet 2:9).

Now, if there is to be two elders, where do you get that from? See the Revelation and it's address to the "angel" of each of the seven churches. Angel means messenger. The messengers in that case are the Bishops of the seven churches. One apiece.

No, the angels are just that: angels. The elders of the congregations are the shepherds, the men tasked with the governance of the body of Christ in the location over which they serve. Again, there is never any reference to a singular "elder" (except when Peter mentions that he is an elder in the body of Christ (1 Pet 5:1)). There is always a body of elders (1 Pet 5:1, Acts 20:17, Tit 1:5, and others).

 

[Mercy Shown]

You don't have real faith if you don't have works with it. It is dead and meaningless (James 2:14-26). The works must be there from the beginning or you don't really have faith at all.

True, only God can give us true faith that produces the work of God in us.

 

[Mercy Shown]

Not by faith, but THROUGH faith.

This is a partial answer, but it is not complete. What must I do to be saved?
Believe, certainly (Acts 16:31), but belief means to have faith, and faith without action is dead, useless, and meaningless. There must be action along with your faith for the faith to be real and effective.

No, real faith produces action. We cannot make faith real by adding action.

But you must also repent of sin (Acts 3:19), for if you go on sinning then Jesus is not really your Lord, and you are lying to yourself.

Real faith produces repentance. Repentence is given to us by God. Without Christ we cannot do anything including repenting.

And you must confess Jesus as Lord verbally (Rom 10:9-10) and publicly (Matt 10:32, Luke 12:8).

You cannot do this of yourself. Unless God is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit we have no confession.

And you must be baptized in water (Mark 16:16, Matt 28:19, Rom 6:1-7, John 3:5, Col 2:11-14, Gal 3:26-27, Eph 5:26-27, 1 Pet 3:21, Acts 22:16, Acts 8:36).

The thief on the cross is lost then.

All of these passages are just as true, and just as vital as Acts 16:31 is, and must be taken into account as well.

They are descriptive and not prescriptive. If one takes them as a prescription they will become legalistic.

 

[Mercy Shown]

Not so. Jesus prophesied concerning when Christian Baptism would officially begin and afterward spread to all nations:
"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name (water baptism) among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47

History does not bear this out. Jesus disciples were baptizing way before this.

 

[Wansvic]

History does not bear this out. Jesus disciples were baptizing way before this.

It is true, Jesus' disciples did administer water baptism. However, what Jesus prophesied in Luke 24:47 was begun at Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection. (Acts 2:38-42) Water baptism in the name of Jesus for remission of sin is an intregal part of the NT rebirth. (John 3:3-5, Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, etc.) The command begun at Pentecost was carried forth to all groups of humanity indicating it applies to everyone. (Acts 2:4-42, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7, 22:16)

 

[Mercy Shown]

It is true, Jesus' disciples did administer water baptism. However, what Jesus prophesied in Luke 24:47 was begun at Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection. (Acts 2:38-42) Water baptism in the name of Jesus for remission of sin is an intregal part of the NT rebirth. (John 3:3-5, Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, etc.) The command begun at Pentecost was carried forth to all groups of humanity indicating it applies to everyone. (Acts 2:4-42, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7, 22:16)

Again, history does not bear this out. John was preaching repentance and baptism long before Pentecost. Even God called for repentance in the OT.
“‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord GOD, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’” (Ezek 18:23).

“‘For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezek 18:32).

 

[Wansvic]

Again, history does not bear this out. John was preaching repentance and baptism long before Pentecost. Even God called for repentance in the OT.
“‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord GOD, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’” (Ezek 18:23).

“‘For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezek 18:32).

I agree, John the Baptist introduced baptism of repentance for remission of sin. However, after Jesus death, burial and resurrection a change took place regarding water baptism. The NT command of water baptism was administered in the name of Jesus as it specifically related to His sacrifice. Water baptism in the name of Jesus for remission of one's sin and receiving the Holy Ghost is required of everyone as the scriptures below reveal. Also consider the relevance of Apostle Paul preaching this over 20+ years after Pentecost. (Acts 19:1-7)

Acts 2:38-39 (Jewish) The group did not receive the Holy Ghost the moment they believed in Jesus. However, they were told they could expect the Holy Ghost at some point.

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

Acts 8:12-17 (Samaritans-half Jewish-half Gentile)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:43-48 (Gentiles)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 11:13-14
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Acts 19:2-6 (Disciples who did not realize they had to water baptized in Jesus name)
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 22:14-16 (Paul's water baptism)
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

[Mercy Shown]

I agree, John the Baptist introduced baptism of repentance for remission of sin. However, after Jesus death, burial and resurrection a change took place regarding water baptism. The NT command of water baptism was administered in the name of Jesus as it specifically related to His sacrifice. Water baptism in the name of Jesus for remission of one's sin and receiving the Holy Ghost is required of everyone as the scriptures below reveal. Also consider the relevance of Apostle Paul preaching this over 20+ years after Pentecost. (Acts 19:1-7)

Acts 2:38-39 (Jewish) The group did not receive the Holy Ghost the moment they believed in Jesus. However, they were told they could expect the Holy Ghost at some point.

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

Acts 8:12-17 (Samaritans-half Jewish-half Gentile)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:43-48 (Gentiles)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 11:13-14
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Acts 19:2-6 (Disciples who did not realize they had to water baptized in Jesus name)
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 22:14-16 (Paul's water baptism)
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

None of these passages negate the fact that it is Jesus sacrifice alone that provided for the remission of sin from the foundation of the world. It also does not deny the fact that Jesus, by his example, established it. These passages explain what baptism is all about but they do not make a claim as to when it was established.

 

[Wansvic]

None of these passages negate the fact that it is Jesus sacrifice alone that provided for the remission of sin from the foundation of the world. It also does not deny the fact that Jesus, by his example, established it. These passages explain what baptism is all about but they do not make a claim as to when it was established.

Jesus prophesied when the NT mandate would be established:
Jesus "...said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:47

And just as Jesus prophesied, the message was first presented in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost:

"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.
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.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." Acts 2:38-42

 

[Doug Brents]

No, real faith produces action. We cannot make faith real by adding action.

Correct, real faith includes action. The actions complete faith. Any "faith" that does not include action is not really faith, but is dead, worthless, and meaningless.

Real faith produces repentance. Repentence is given to us by God. Without Christ we cannot do anything including repenting.

Then why is it that God commands repentance of us in order that we can receive His blessing (Acts 3:19)?

You cannot do this of yourself. Unless God is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit we have no confession.

Correct. But the Spirit working in us to reveal God to us does not indicate salvation already being received.

The thief on the cross is lost then.

No, the thief on the cross was promised salvation before Jesus died. As long as He was alive, He could change His will at any time, just as any person can change his will before he dies (Heb 9:16-17). But after Jesus' death His will was locked and could no longer be changed, just as human will cannot be changed after the death of the person who wrote the will.

So the thief was never subject to the New Covenant requirement of baptism. But we are.

They are descriptive and not prescriptive. If one takes them as a prescription they will become legalistic.

Jesus said that no one would enter the Kingdom of God (the Church) without the application of the Spirit AND water. 1 Pet 3:21 says that it is baptism in water that saves us today by the working of the Holy Spirit (which is exactly what we are told in Rom 6:1-7 and Col 2:11-14). This is not "legalistic". This is taking God at His Word. Would Naaman have been cured if he had not dipped the seventh time? Or if he had dipped in the Red Sea? Or if he had just dipped his foot in? No, he would not have been, just as we will not be saved if we do not do the things that God has said lead to/result in receiving His blessing of salvation.

 

[Mercy Shown]

Then why is it that God commands repentance of us in order that we can receive His blessing (Acts 3:19)?

How would one know what to repent of if they set themselves up as judge. We are incapable of righteous judgement. The Holy Spirit is the convincer of sin.
john6:65 indicates that repentance is given by God.

Correct. But the Spirit working in us to reveal God to us does not indicate salvation already being received.

No, the thief on the cross was promised salvation before Jesus died. As long as He was alive, He could change His will at any time, just as any person can change his will before he dies (Heb 9:16-17). But after Jesus' death His will was locked and could no longer be changed, just as human will cannot be changed after the death of the person who wrote the will.

So the thief was never subject to the New Covenant requirement of baptism. But we are.

Jesus said that no one would enter the Kingdom of God (the Church) without the application of the Spirit AND water. 1 Pet 3:21 says that it is baptism in water that saves us today by the working of the Holy Spirit (which is exactly what we are told in Rom 6:1-7 and Col 2:11-14). This is not "legalistic". This is taking God at His Word. Would Naaman have been cured if he had not dipped the seventh time? Or if he had dipped in the Red Sea? Or if he had just dipped his foot in? No, he would not have been, just as we will not be saved if we do not do the things that God has said lead to/result in receiving His blessing of salvation.

It is legalistic in assuming that some action we take is responsible for our salvation. But to be clear let me ask you. If a man surrenders to Christ on his deathbed are you saying that he can't be saved because he was not baptised?