“You need a teacher that is more familiar with Scripture than Jeff”
I have that teacher and his name is Jesus.
Jesus said it was necessary.
“...Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven” John 3:5 RSV. “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew” John 3:7 RSV.
We are born anew (again) in Baptism.
One verse or paragraph does not a doctrine make, as is the case with most Protestants. The Scriptures must be read holistically. Everything the Bible says on any topic must be considered.
The Catholic Church teaches what the Apostles taught. And the Church wrote the New Testament. The NT is based on the teaching of the Church, not vice versa. Look to the Catholic Church for answers about what the Bible means.
Salvation requires more than belief! And more than Baptism!
“The Catholic Church teaches what the Apostles taught.”
Oh, really? Prove it step by step, without leaving out a single link. In particular, detail those exact “Apostolic teachings” about every non-Biblical tradition. I’ll go on an around the world cruise while I wait for those references that detail it all before 150AD.
“And the Church wrote the New Testament.”
Ah, that shows just how silly I am. I took God at His Word, that HE inspired and moved men via the Holy Spirit. Now you tell me the Church did it and not Him.
“The NT is based on the teaching of the Church, not vice versa.”
It is based on exactly what GOD chose to inspire.
“Look to the Catholic Church for answers about what the Bible means.”
The last place I’d look.