The thief died prior to the institution of the NT. The NT rebirth experience was made available on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus prophesied that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)
When God quickens a person to the new spiritual life, he exchanges their heart of stone to a heart of flesh, that can be pricked to feel spiritual guilt (Ezk 11:19).
These Jews in Acts 2:37, already had their heart exchanged, by evidence that they were "pricked" in their heart. In contrast of their response, those with the heart of stone, in Acts 7:54, had a much different response, of gnashing on him with their teeth, after hearing Stephen preach the same sermon as Peter preached in Acts 2.
The gift of the Holy Spirit are his fruits (Gal 5:22-23).