The thief was evidently baptized upon the cross with this saving baptism and was born again without water, and was thus prepared for the paradise which Jesus promised him.  He experienced repentance, forgiveness and remission of sin.[127]

Simon the Sorcerer was baptized presumably with water; was he born again?  We are told that he remained in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity and that his heart was not right in the sight of God.[128]

Altho’ apostles baptized Simon with water he was evidently not born again.  Altho’ admittedly not baptized with water the repentant thief was born again.[129]

Paul said, as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.[130]

Had Simon put on Christ, his heart would have been right in the sight of God, not in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity.

According to Paul’s teaching, Simon was not baptized into Christ; but the repentant thief was baptized into Christ and put on Christ.

The bond of iniquity in which water baptism left Simon bound is a poor recommendation to the rite.  Has it improved since that early day, or is the gall of bitterness less pungent, or has the sight of God become dimmed?[131]

The New Testament makes no connection between new birth and water baptism.

Baptism, not of water, but of the Holy Spirit, makes the heart right.  By resisting this baptism we fail to be baptized into Christ.[132] By yielding to this baptism we become our Saviour’s new born children, baptized into Christ and buried with him in baptism.[133] This baptism is freely offered to every son and daughter of Adam.

Those of every land who never saw the Scriptures nor ever heard of Jesus with outward ear may be baptized with this saving baptism and be born again without instrumentality.[134]

There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God.[135] Our Saviour left us not dependent on book, man or water for salvation.  His love is universal and unbounded; he tasted death for every man.[136]

This is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and in their hearts will I write them.[137]

Paul says, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”  This does not imply that this grace has appeared to all men in the same way and fulness, but it does imply that it appears to every conscience with sufficient fulness to bring salvation if listened to and obeyed.[138]

He now stands at every door and knocks; if we open the door he will come in and sup with us.[139] If we love him he will abide with us; but we must heed his gentle knocks, his still, small voice, and open the door.[140]

Churchmen say:  The visible church, comprising persons good and bad, saints and sinners, is the kingdom of God, or the kingdom of Heaven, and that the door of entrance is water baptism duly administered.[141]