.....”Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.”....
The thief on the cross had none of that and yet Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise. The thief only acknowleged he was guilty of his sin and that Jesus was not, then asked he be remembered when he entered his kingdom. Jesus responded with ‘the assurance’ the thief would be with Him.
Yes, Jesus during His life healed the sick and forgave sins as Jesus determined that they sought forgiveness and had faith in Jesus.
Yet Jesus delegated to the Apostles and their successors: to preach and baptize and to forgive sins.
So you and I need to follow the teachings of Jesus to be saved. We shouldn’t only rely on what he did for others, as we are individually judged at the time of our death.
Baptism is the essential acceptance of God’s sacrifice and promise of salvation. Confession to a Catholic priest remits sins after Baptism. Jesus told us that the Eucharist is essential to our spiritual lives and necessary for salvation and with the graces we receive from the sacraments, we grow in our spiritual lives to become one in Christ.
Yes, salvation and opening the gates of Heaven was Christ’s sacrifice and His gifts to mankind. Jesus does not force salvation on anyone. We must accept it through Baptism (it is in the Bible) and acceptance of the teachings of Jesus.
If you read John chapter 6, you will see that many did not accept eating the Body and Blood of Jesus that Jesus told us was essential for salvation.
God’s peace be with you and the Truth.