First, he was nailed to the cross. Probably not a pleasant experience.
Then, after hanging on the cross for nine hours, he had his legs broken by rods. Also, not very pleasant.
He then hung there until he suffocated. That, also probably didn't feel too good.
So, I'd say he suffered quite a bit before going to paradise.
But, the first thing he did was to ask Christ to remember him, which is to say he asked for forgiveness and it was granted. But, he still had to suffer before receiving his eternal reward.
See my post #67 - except you explained it way better!! Clearly the thief suffered the excrutiating death of crucifixion!! If that doesn’t constitute penance, I don’t what does.
So, I’d say he suffered quite a bit before going to paradise.
So let’s use your logic. If I get hit by a car, ask God’s forgiveness, and suffer in the street for an hour I’ve probably done enough penance, by your standards. If I jump off a curb see the car coming and call for salvation and I’m killed instantly I’m in trouble.
This shows the idiocy of your skewed theology.
Simple, if you need to do anything for your salvation it means Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. Sorry I don’t worship an incapable God as you seem to.
The thing is, he wasn’t nailed to the cross because he had accepted Christ. He was going to suffer on the cross regardless of how he determined his eternal fate, and this had been determined before he ever met Christ.
Really, I can’t see this as penance.
I believe that a man can repent at the very last second of his life; however unlikely it is that he will do so. I don’t believe in punishment for those sins that are forgiven, although on Earth there can definitely be consequences that can’t be avoided.
What I do believe in is that there are rewards in heaven based on your faith and works based on that faith here on Earth. What are they? Don’t know.