[StormPrepper]

Why instant salvation? Jesus forgave the thief on the cross.

You can't make an over simplified assumption about the thief. He obviously knew who Jesus was and believed Him. He could have been a believer who made a mistake. However, the thief's last words, while hanging there in unspeakable agony, were a testimony to the whole world that Jesus was the Christ. That's pretty powerful. And tells you where His heart was....

And since God sees all, Jesus knew the thief's testimony would be read by billions of people down through the ages. How many souls would his words help save?

But for sure, the eternal laws governing salvation were met to the Lord's satisfaction.

[castlegreyskull]

What are the eternal laws that govern salvation?
This is how I believe it to be. I am not arguing, I want to know what I am missing:

First you believe in God. Second believe in Jesus. Believe that he died for our sins, and that he was resurrected. Admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and ask for forgiveness. Evidence of a person’s acceptance of Christ would manifest in that person’s life and forsake their old life (whatever problems that would have included).

[metmom]

You can't make an over simplified assumption about the thief. He obviously knew who Jesus was and believed Him. He could have been a believer who made a mistake.

Except that he was initially mocking Jesus with the other thief.

It's not an over simplified assumption.