I can't say I've ever encountered the thief on cross / baptism argument.
I think the position you are taking is sound. The questions comes back to whether there are other valid ways to interpret the situation. And from each valid interpretation we can weigh the ramifications of those beliefs.
Consider these points:
If baptism is always required for salvation, is a newborn child that dies shortly after birth without the opportunity for baptism not saved?
If a mother experiences a miscarriage, is the baby without a hope for salvation?
If a mother aborted a baby (such as in the church of Satan human sacrifice ritual), does that damn the baby?
If a mother denies a child from baptism and that child dies prematurely, is that child cut off from salvation?
If something is misspoken during the rite of baptism, is the baptism void? How would a deaf person ever know if they are saved?
The conversation gets into strange territory of "salvation through works" which is contrary to scripture. And it also gets into the strange territory of humans somehow being able to deny eachother salvation through their works (e.g. the abortion example). The ramifications are enough to give me pause.
The idea that a person's choice to do evil could somehow deny someone else their chance at salvation doesn't seem right. Salvation in my view is a direct arrangement between a person and God.
“Salvation in my view is a direct arrangement between a person and God.”
“between God and the believer “
offered by faith
“So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.”
Romans 10:17 KJV
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
arhats there to create faith not to establish requirements we’re meant to hear it and believe and then respond
“So then
after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
Mark 16:19 KJV
the issue is what we hear and believe instead of asking “ is baptism a requirement ?”
We should ask “ what does God say baptism is for ?” And what blessing does he say it offers ?”
“Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:38 KJV
If we were to ask those questions and accept those answers no one would have any issue whatsoever with baptism because finer faith is being constructed based on
what God said, rather than us reasoning “ is baptism a necessaty ?
He doesn’t say “ if someone doesn’t get baptized they are lost “ nor “ they are still saved “
a what he said is made of faith so anyone who hears it and responds is acting in faith
a anyone who believes the gospel and is baptized shall be saved “
“Those who believe not shall be damned “
Our answer is to find out what God established for things like remission of sins , receiving the holy spirit ect and then we believe what we heard this will always lead us to act by what we believe
airs the belief that when I get baptized “
Gods own word says he has remitted my sins “
We need to always find out what Jesus established and believe
“This only would I learn of you,
Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or
by the hearing of faith?”
Galatians 3:2 KJV
a when we hear the gospel it’s where we learn about baptism for remission of sins in Jesus name what’s in the gospel of Jesus Christ is most important to God
the beginning of the gospel
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Mark 1:4 KJV
the church after the cross
“Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Peter is. Ow preaching that baptism for remission offers the Holy Spirit
ps a baby can’t hear and believe the gospel and aren’t accountable for sin anyways