we are speaking of norms here, not exceptions. do you know the difference? baptism by blood and baptism by desire are two aspects of baptism which are exceptions. the thief on the cross received this most likely.
by the way he did not go to paradise to be with Jesus that day, since Jesus did not ascend into heaven until after he rose from the dead and spent about 40 days on the earth (i have not yet ascended to my Father)
