Quoting my wife: “Correct. However, salvation is not dependent upon it.”
Here is another deviation from Catholic Doctrine (my understanding of it, that is):
> Baptism is not necessary for salvation.
> Communion is not necessary for salvation.
My concern is that only certain people can administer the above “rituals” and if not done correctly, salvation is not assured. This inserts a person in between God and man.
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jammed into paragraph form: Christ instituted the Sacraments for our Salvation, just as He instituted the Church for our Salvation, just as He inspired members of the Church to write and collect, copy and canonize the Scriptures for our Salvation, etc. etc.
If you know that Christ instituted Baptism for your Salvation, the you are morally obliged to be Baptized because, of course, you are morally bound to do anything and everything receive God's rich spiritual gifts. This is God's will. Doing God's will is necessary for salvation.
However, if you did not know that God's will is for you to be Baptized, to receive the Eucharist, to read the Bible, etc. etc. then God can still save you. God is the Savior. Savior is His middle name. He can save anyone He wants too, whether they ever heard of Him or not.
He is the (Link) true Light that enlightens every man who came into the world. Read that link. Enlightens! Every man!
(He also says He was rejected by His own, and you can reject Him. Anyone can reject His light. Don't do that!)
So, as for us, we NEED to receive with joy and gratitude the Sacraments which Christ gave us that we might be saved. (John 6:53 KJV "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.")
Note that "verily, verily." Contemporary English: "I AM SERIOUS."
This is your duty and your salvation.
But if you didn't even know that: well, He is not bound by any rules. He rescues the 'poor in spirit' and gives them the Kingdom of Heaven. Guaranteed. He gives mercy to the merciful. Guaranteed. He calls the peacemakers God's children. He lets the pure of heart see Him. He won't mess up, won't miss one person who is willing to take His hand and walk in the Light.
As for "inserting a person between God and man": have you never heard that we are all members of the Body of Christ?
Tagline.