Most of us can recall our baptism day. I remember wading into the warm water, how weightless I felt, and wondering why my dad was wearing white socks in the water. I remember the rush of water past my ears, and most of all, I remember the feeling I had afterward, of being clean and pure. As I’ve grown up and learned about all the filth in the world, I’ve often wished I could go back and get baptized all over again, so I can feel the way I did that day when I was eight.
However, it’s not necessary to go repeat the actual baptism ordinance. We renew our baptismal covenants every Sunday when we partake of the Sacrament, and we walk out of the chapel as clean as we did on our baptism day. It’s a weekly chance to make things new again.
But what is it about going beneath the water that washes our sins away? What is it about partaking of the bread and water that provides the additional cleansing?
Nothing.
We belong to a religion of symbolism. Earlier today, I wrote a blog about Samson and his strength, which was taken away when his hair was cut. I also mentioned Joshua and how marching around the city of Jericho brought the wall crashing down. The power was not found in the hair, or in the marching. The power was found in the obedience they showed, and so it is with baptism and the sacrament.
A font filled with water does not have power to wash away our sins. It is the Priesthood authority with which the ordination is performed that washes away our sins. A piece of bread and a sip of water does not make us clean again. It is the Priesthood authority with which that food is blessed that wipes the slate clean. Without the Priesthood, it’s just water, and it’s just bread. With the Priesthood, it is a beautiful, tangible reminder of God’s promises to us and ours to Him.
And what of being rebaptized? There is no need. The baptism He wants from me now is not one of going under the water—it’s one of rededication, of allowing His Spirit into my life so fully that I am washed clean with it.
Related Blogs:
The Blessings of the Priesthood
Gospel Doctrine: The Gift of the Sacrament