Catholic and Orthodox variants believe that baptism is necessary for salvation.

Yes, both Catholic and Orthodox traditions hold the belief that baptism is a necessary sacrament for salvation. This belief is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles, as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible.

1. The first step in understanding this belief is to look at the biblical basis for it. In the Gospel of John (3:5), Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This is often interpreted as a reference to baptism.

2. The second step is to understand the theological interpretation of this scripture. Both Catholic and Orthodox churches interpret this as meaning that baptism is a necessary step in the process of salvation. It is seen as the means by which a person is cleansed of original sin and becomes a member of the Church, the body of Christ.

3. The third step is to understand the practice of baptism in these traditions. In both Catholic and Orthodox churches, baptism is typically performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersing the