It requires a community of faith. In the same respect, baptism requires a confession of faith. In infant baptism, parents or godparents make the confession on behalf of the child, who it is expected with make their own personal confession later. In our tradition that happens at the time of confirmation which completes the Sacrament of Infant Baptism. Although agreement about the meaning of baptism is cause to rejoice, it would be foolish to assume everyone understands the agreements in the same way.
Much disagreement still exists - and also a great deal of heresy.
Instead of an initiation rite, some people think baptism is some kind of magical act which guarantees people will go to heaven. Baptism does deal with heaven and hell, but the unbaptized are not consigned to hell anymore than those who have been baptized have a reserved mansion waiting for them in heaven. Even after infant baptism is completed by the Rite of Confirmation, baptism is still not complete. Baptism is a life-long growth into Christ. Baptism is a gift from God, but we are responsible to be stewards of the gift.