Most people are familiar with the Bible truth that God created Adam and Eve and of their disobedience to God found in Genesis 3:1-21
Genesis 1:26-27 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and over all of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The beginning of Romans 5:19 says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners..
In Genesis 5:3 we are told that Adam's son Seth was made in his image. The truth is we are all born sinners into this world. Romans 5:12 ; "Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned."
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain. Then a son Abel. We read in Genesis 4 that they both had the desire to bring an offering to God. In this happening we can see the two religions of the world. Abel, representing the man who put his faith in the innocent sacrifice "and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Cain, representing the man that put his faith in his own works. "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect."
The ending of Romans 5:19 says.. so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Luke 23: 39-43 Shows us the way of salvation.
Jesus was on the cross and a conversation took place there.
39. "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying If thou be Christ save thyself and us."
40. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?"
One man has no fear of God, "he railed on him", no faith in Jesus Christ "If thou be"
The other fears God and believes he deserves the punishment that he receives.
41. "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss."
He recognizes that Jesus is innocent. "hath done nothing amiss." ..so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous!
Let's review. He fears God, he has a repentant heart, (believes he deserves punishment for his sin), he believes Jesus did no wrong.
42. And he said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."
43 And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
He fears God, he believes he deserves punishment for his sin, he believes Jesus did nothing wrong and he is Lord.
He didn't have time to be baptized or to join a church or take the Lord's supper, all good and right things to do to witness our faith but that doesn't save us.
Luke 13:3 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish."
Acts 17:30-31 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained ; wherefore he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Luke 2:7-14 "And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 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 the other on the left."
Titus 1:5 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Acts 16:31 ; "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."