The man on the cross died under the Law and was not required to obey Acts 2:38, since it had not yet been instituted.
Peter , james , jude and others had already been water baptized even before the day of pentecost .
I would not quite say it like you just did . If a man is driving in his car and wrecks it
and yet suddenly is drawn to Christ right before he dies , that man is gonna be WITH JESUS .
HOWEVER any one making excuse against water baptism , they just dont know HIM my friend .
But be careful . I DO agree with you that we SHOULD be water baptized , but dont go overboard on this my friend .
My advice stands . To all who come to and follow Christ GET water baptized
but never teach that if one came to Christ at their end of life and was unable they will be damned either .
Its simple really . Lambs are hearers and doers of all things both JESUS and later the true apostels would teach and do .
IF water baptism was not a big deal , THEN WHY would peter have CORNELIOUS and his household BE WATER baptized
EVEN after they had recieved the HOLY GHOST and were speaking in tongues . IT IS something we must continue to do and to teach .
I keep it real simple , IF the early church taught and did something then we do the same . Real simple .