What else is notable about Baptism?

We believe that Baptism is necessary for salvation because of Jesus' own words: "No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit " (Jn 3:5). However, the Church also rightly teaches that while God binds salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, he himself is not bound by the sacraments (Catechism, #1257). The reason for this is that God would never bind anyone to do what is impossible. For example, infants who die in the womb or at birth before Baptism, aborted and miscarried fetuses, all of whom never had a chance to fulfill Jesus' command, the Church confidently places in God's mercy and love. Remember Jesus' own words, "Let the children come to me, do not prevent them" (Mk 10:14). There are also those who, while not baptized in water, suffer death for the faith and receive the Baptism of Blood. And even those who, through no fault of their own, cannot come to know Christ, but seek the truth and do the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved (Catechism, #1258-1260). This is called Baptism of Desire. It is important to note that the Church sees salvation open to all by means of one of these three forms of Baptism. Some Christian denominations by their doctrines indicate salvation for very few people. Our faith opens the possibility of salvation to all. "God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (Jn 3:17 ff). John speaks of the whole world. God wants everyone saved! It is, after all, the reason for which he created every person. The Sacrament of Baptism initiates us into our journey of life with God. It is God who leads and God who guides, and God who waits to embrace us for all eternity.