The ball is in your hand you've got to deal with the words of Christ himself.
The thief was saved by his desire to be saved which is an exceptance to the rule, its called baptism of desire.
>>its called baptism of desire.<<
Now that there is funny! You’re saying the thief on the cross was baptized by desire and others who have the desire to be saved so profess a belief in Jesus aren’t? You can’t be serious. Besides, that is not what even the Catholic Church doctrines say. I’m assuming of course that you are Catholic by faith.
Baptism is only symbolic and any other assertion is demeaning the death and resurrection of Jesus.