In that case alone, nobody would go to hell. The thief was given entrée to Heaven not because he was forgiven, but because he believed and accepted Christ as his savior, and I think a fair argument could be made that his suffering and punishment were precisely that which brought about his belief. had the thief not been caught and punished, for all we know, he may have continued his life of thievery.
"...the thief could not do ANYTHING on his own to add to his "purification."
I disagree. The thief had to actively acknowledge and accept Christ. Ha he denied Him, he would have ended up like the guy on the left.
Not according to God....
Could it have been because God opened his heart and eyes to recognize Christ as his savior? Would you not agree that if that were so, where he was (being crucified) is not a factor? He could have been called years later... or before.
The theif's crucifixion was a location; the salvation occurred when he believed. That's accomplished by God.
Hoss