Can we be saved like the thief?

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What’s Your Question? for Oct. 17, ‘07

The thief on the cross is used to nullify Mark 16:16 – "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Many say the thief did not have to be baptized, therefore baptism is not necessary. Have you noticed that one must believe that God "has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead" in order to be saved? (Rom. 10:9). Did the thief believe Jesus had been raised? No! Should we conclude that we do not have to believe in the resurrection of Jesus? The thief could not have believed that Jesus had been raised, neither could he have been buried in the likeness of Christ’s death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection (Rom. 6:3,4). Neither applied to the thief, but both apply to us.