The Man on the Middle Cross : Are you going to heaven?

by Alistair Begg

Genres: Christian, Theology, Evangelism

48 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2025

About the author

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church.

In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.

Reviews

[Marney Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this gospel tract/booklet at a conference recently. It’s excellent. If you don’t know Jesus, read and learn than He is the only One who offers real fulfillment. He is the only One who can forgive sins. Only Jesus can promise you a place in God’s perfect heaven forever. Come to Him.

[Andrew Fulbright · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

A short but very powerful little track. The gospel message is one of the most simple things to convey, and yet we so often find it one of the most difficult things to comprehend. I recommend this little book for anyone interested in learning what the message of the gospel boils down to, and it’s helpful for both new and old members of the faith.

[Siwan Fflur Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is ideal to give away to friends that have indicated some interest in Jesus. The gospel is really clear throughout and I felt it had a really nice balance of challenging the reader as well as coming alongside them like a gentle friend. Fantastic!

[Carmine Snyder · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book from a relative. I was born into a Christian home and lived the first 30 years of my life for Christ. I was even an ordained pastor. I have now lived over 25 years as an agnostic. I must say that these have been the best years of my life. I wouldn’t be alive today if I stayed with Christianity. I didn’t live in truth as a Christian because I always knew I was gay. Since I went with my gut and my truth, I have lived the most amazing life and an authentic, honest, and truthful life. You don’t have to have religion to know right or wrong. I’m happy for anyone that is happy in their faith, but I long for the day when those individuals are happy and fine that others have different believes and they should have the right to live as they choose.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy short little book that is a perfect introduction to the Gospel. Begg tells three different stories from the Bible as well as tying in a similar modern story and then has the actual scripture included as well. I plan on giving it to some of my college students both for their edification and also as an inspiration to share the gospel. However, you should totally watch the clip of Alister Begg actually talking about the man on the middle cross. It’s way better than just reading it.

[Chas Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alastair Begg’s book’s is sub-titled, “Are you going to Heaven.” I just received this attending Cross Con 2036.

This 38 page booklet is a clear and concise description of the true gospel of Scripture.

Works and all the other baggage that are sometimes included in gospel presentations are stripped away in this well written booklet.

Begg takes three people in the gospel narrative and shows clearly how they came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and shows how the reader can have the same altered life if he/she humbly repents of sin and embraces Jesus as Lord and Savor.

Booklet also includes QR codes so reader can watch animated video’s and overviews of creation and a more detailed description of what is included in the gospel.

This is a great booklet to give to someone after you have shared the gospel. It includes everything needed to answer many of the questions clarifying what’s needed to come before the Lord with a true submissive heart of repentance.


Chas Morse

[Casey Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Super quick and easy read that gives a new perspective on common encounters with Jesus to point you to how we are saved and what we place our hope in. Great book to give new believers or nonbelievers, but good for all to read.

[Richard Torelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so small and yet full of Jesus. I think it can be a great book for someone young in their faith and for someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus yet.

Why should I let you in to my Heaven?
Answer: Because (Jesus) THE MAN on the middle cross died for me and said I can be here!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice evangelistic booklet and advertisement for Alistair Begg’s ministry now that he has retired as pastor.

[Carissa Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[Timothy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, short, super readable in regard to picturing each scene. Begg does a good job illustrating each story.

[Josh Rathmell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great booklet! It’s longer than a tract but smaller than a book. Great explanation of salvation. I’ll prolly get some of these as a resource!

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Thank you to @10ofthoseusa for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.]

I’ve been a fan of everything I’ve read by Alistair Begg. I really appreciated his most recent (upcoming) title, “The Man on the Middle Cross.”

This short and concise book features three individuals whom we meet in the bible and their vastly different standings and circumstances. The book highlights what these individuals do have in common: a need for a Savior: Jesus, and an inability to save themselves.

Through the stories of these individuals, the author explains that everyone is in need of salvation and that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. Not only this, but that no person is ever too far gone to be saved, if they believe and profess Christ as Lord. The book emphasizes mankind's inability to save themselves and that salvation is a gift of God, not dependent on works. This book also touches on assurance of salvation.

“The Man on the Middle Cross” would serve as an excellent evangelistic tool for seekers or a discipleship tool for very new believers.

A solid read. Highly recommend!

[Taliah Kendrick]

“The only proper answer is in the third person: “Because he…”, “Because Jesus…” Because he said I could come. The man on the middle cross—he said I could come. He died on the cross in my place.”

In this short book, Alistair Begg highlights three people from gospels and shows their need for more beyond this life: salvation. It beautifully displays that we contribute nothing to our salvation and relies on Christ alone. This is intended for the use of evangelism and would be a great tool to keep on your shelf to giveaway!

Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for a review.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Man on the Middle Cross, Alistair Begg brings the gospel to those seeking hope, restoration, and a way back to God.

Changed Lives

This warm, short, and powerful evangelistic book is based on Alistair Begg’s most quoted sermon line: “The man on the middle cross said I could come.” It actually moved me to tears when I first saw the viral clip online, and this book is a wonderful way to share that same message.

The book tells the stories of three lives changed by Jesus: the Samaritan woman at the well, the healing of the paralyzed man who was let down through the roof by his friends, and the thief on the cross.

Come to Jesus

What I love most about this book is that it includes extended passages of biblical text, so the reader is taken straight to Scripture. It also features QR codes linking to dramatized gospel videos from Lumo Project Films.

Whether you are searching for fulfillment and satisfaction, seeking healing from a broken world and sin, or striving for forgiveness and a life beyond this world in heaven, this book calls its readers to come to Jesus and live.

I received a media copy of The Man on the Middle Cross and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep

[Woody Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great evangelistic message in booklet form. Each chapter provides a biblical perspective on how we need Jesus and how Jesus alone meets the needs of our lives. He includes a QR code that takes the reader to a dramatized reading of the portion of Scripture covered in the chapter. This will be a very useful resource to help people begin following Jesus!

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gospel tract in book form. With QR codes to watch the Bible and access other teaching and resources.

I anticipate this book will be an effective tool for helping people with questions about the gospel; it might be a bit harder to give to someone unsolicited. A really good tool to come alongside with a discussion.

[Eden Priest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful micro-book that would be perfect for giving to someone considering the Gospel. In fact, it’s even better for people consumed by the weight of their baggage. This pithy book contains three stories of three people who didn’t have their lives sorted out but placed their faith in Jesus and had their lives transformed by Him.

[John Backus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read - only took me about 5 days reading 5-10 minutes!

As someone who grew up in the church this was a great reminder of how the gospel is for people of all stages in their walk.

I wonder how understandable it would be for a new believer. I hope in that case it brings forth good questions, pushing them deeper into Gods word in search of Christ!

[Andy Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long form Gospel tract/booklet that discusses the following Biblical accounts: Samaritan woman at the well, the paralytic whose friends lowered him through the roof, and the thief on the cross. The last one is based off Begg’s now famous sermon clip.

[David Byun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It seems at first sight as though Begg is using the gospel to offer fulfillment of individual desires and needs but addresses the problem underlying all our deficiencies and unfulfilled desires: sin.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a short book i was given at a conference. the end had me tearing up! needed this reminder that we are only saved and able to inherit the kingdom because he invites us. everything was just put and framed brilliantly.

[Lacie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet glimpse into the never ending and perfect love of Christ. Even more so, this is so clearly a great tool to extend to those who do not yet know Christ. Getting to see the way Jesus so kindly extends His love to the thief on the cross is the same in which he extends to us.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book of contemporary spins on Bible episodes. The third of the three stories is by far the best.

[Raul Filea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing little book! The way the stories are presented gives them something special, just like they happened in our days.

[Jenna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great evangelism tool! I liked all the videos.

[Rachel DiCerbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The man on the middle cross said I could come. Three simple salvation stories.

[Chad Grindstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little evangelistic booklet going through three interactions the Lord had while on earth. Could be a very useful book to hand out to people who might be wondering about Christianity.

[Ryan Pickwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent little Alistair Begg tract/booklet to get someone thinking more deeply about Christianity and his or her relationship to Christ.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to give away to those who don't know Christ. Simple introduction to Jesus.