How did this man get to heaven, was it faith alone?
Luke 23:42 KJV
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many people stake their claims on the malefactor on the cross, as if what transpired with him somehow cancels out other portions of scripture that they seemingly don't like, but, sure, I'll play.
Luke 23
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This malefactor, unlike the other malefactor, sought a salvation far greater than just being delivered from his present predicament on the cross in verse 39, and he therefore rebuked the other malefactor in verse 40.
This malefactor feared God in verse 40.
This malefactor recognized that he was justly condemned or that he was receiving the due reward for his deeds in verses 40-41.
This malefactor recognized Jesus' innocence or that he had done nothing amiss in verse 41.
This malefactor called Jesus "Lord" in verse 42.
This malefactor asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom in verse 42, so he apparently not only believed in Christ's coming kingdom, but he also apparently believed that Christ would rise from the dead in order to come into his kingdom. He also apparently believed that he would be resurrected from the dead himself one day, and he wanted to ensure his own place in Christ's coming kingdom.
This malefactor, based upon the aforementioned things, received a promise from Jesus that he would be with him in paradise that day.
I'll leave it to you to sort out what all of that means.