[StormPrepper]

The Dispensation of Grace had not yet been fully (or even partially) instituted when the Thief on the Cross was granted his forgiveness.

The Lord has forgiven people of sin down through the ages long before this event on the promise of the coming atonement.

I'm not really sure what "The Dispensation of Grace" is, but the Lord can forgive at the time of choosing. If not neither Job nor Abraham could have been judged to be perfect in their life times.

Or forgiven the entire city of Nineveh. This was the whole idea behind the commandment of blood sacrifice, so people could gain forgiveness in their life times and not have to wait in death for the atonement of Christ to be complete.

[Elsie]

If not neither Job nor Abraham could have been judged to be perfect in their life times.

They WERE??