Eventually, most regenerated souls read all the bible, if the Lord gives them enough time on this earth to do so.
But the thief on the cross was regenerated and given saving faith in the knowledge he was given of the Christ before he died.
Try as you might STP, you cannot make belief (faith), repentance, or obedience out to be works of the flesh. They are all evidence of the grace of God and the presence of the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. . For all believers prove to be the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10