Baptism

CCC 1262
By Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission… The Holy Spirit is given to us, making us temples of God.

This doesn’t mean God can’t give the Spirit outside of baptism — He certainly can (as seen in Acts). But baptism is the normative, instituted means. Such as the special case in Acts 10:44-48. The Chur

CCC 1216

Baptism is necessary for salvation (unless extraordinary circumstances), following Christ’s command.

CCC 1258

Although the sacraments confer the grace they signify, God is not bound by the sacraments.

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Acts 2:38

Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 3:20-22

20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Acts 22:16

“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

Romans 6:3–4

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”