A person is saved after doing as has been commanded in the New Testament. This includes all the items I listed. Since baptism is for the remission of sins, and you must have your sins forgiven and removed before you can become a Christian, it seems only logical that it could not come before that step.
So the thief on the cross died in his sins? What a shame.
Cornelius was saved before he was baptized (Acts 10:44-48)