John the Baptist said that he was there to *baptize* with *water* unto
*repentence* ...

[Matthew 3:11] "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

The thief on the cross *repented*, so that is effectively the same as water
baptism, because (true) water baptism is the outward sign of  (true) inner
repentence.

[Luke 23:40-42] " But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou
fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly;
for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing
amiss.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy
kingdom."

So it's very simple: repent first, then water baptism to show your
repentence, but if you are unable to have a water baptism (ie. like the
thief on the cross) then true repentence is effectively equivalent to water
baptism .

in the blood of Jesus,
Lester