Where does it say in Acts 9 that Paul’s sins were forgiven BEFORE he was baptized??
From Robertson's Word Pictures:
Acts 9:5
"Lord (kurie). It is open to question if kurie should not here be translated “Sir” as in Act_16:30 and in Mt. 21:29, 21:30; Jn. 5:7, 12:21, 20:15; and should be so in Jn. 9:36. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in Acts 22:10 “What shall I do, Lord?” Saul may have recognized the vision as from God as Cornelius says “Lord” in Acts 10:4. Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (Jn. 20:28) and as little Samuel (1 Sam. 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end."
In other words, Paul's conversion was so obvious and implicit that it is painful to see someone not perceive what the words demonstrate, especially when it is rehearsed again in chapter 22.