He was saved just like anyone else under the Old Covenant.” So, in essence, the same people who say the thief did not need to be baptized because he was “under the Old Covenant” will use John 3:5 as “proof” that baptism is necessary for salvation.
Kaya sa esensya, ang parehong mga tao na nagsasabi na hindi kinakailangan ng magnanakaw na mabawtismuhan dahil nasa ilalim pa siya ng Lumang Tipan ay siya ring gumagamit sa Juan 3:5 bilang "katibayan" na kinakailangan ang bawtismo para sa kaligtasan.