In my religion and in many other Christian churches, we practice baptism "by immersion," specifically complete submersion. There are other groups that baptize "by affusion" or with sprinkling. The mode and manner of baptism has been a point of doctrinal debate since the days of the Reformation. And while many justly argue that the spirit of this ordinance is more important than the method, I have found the physical rite itself to be profoundly beautiful and instructive. What follows is a brief talk I gave at a recent convert baptism in which I explained some of what I have observed and felt about what we can learn from the act of baptizing by immersion:
I think one of the things we are
meant to learn from the baptismal ordinance is that Christian discipleship is an
immersive experience. You are not being baptized into a church that simply asks
for a few hours of your week and an occasional donation. Rather, you are being
baptized, as the Apostle Paul said, unto Christ’s death--a long and sometimes steep path of discipleship
that will demand your heart, might, mind, and strength; your time, talents, and
means; your will, your love, and your life. No partial measures will do. Now,
that is not something to enter lightly. And I think baptism by immersion is
meant to teach us experientially that our obedience and discipleship will
ultimately be incomplete and insufficient if we are not entirely immersed—even if
there is just one little hair “above water.”
So, with that said, you might be
wondering, “what am I getting myself into?” Well, the answer is
water—literally, but also symbolically.
Starting today (and then re-starting every following day), you are to immerse
yourself as much as you can in the living water—in Jesus Christ Himself. Although
my initial discussion about immersion may have seemed overwhelming (and in some
ways, it is, even to me), you should find great comfort in that knowledge.
Speaking about the weight of the immersive discipleship He requires (i.e. of
what it takes to be a faithful member of His church), Christ declared, “My yoke
is easy, and my burden light.” That is the water into which you are being
baptized—in which you are to immerse yourself completely. It will ask for
everything you have and are. But it will give you all that the Father has and
is. It is a burden, but it is light, and it is worth it.
Another thing to remember is that
you will not be in that baptismal font by yourself. You could, theoretically,
step into the font and immerse yourself without any assistance, but that is not
how this ordinance works. Instead, a priesthood holder will stand beside you
and help as you perform the ordinance. I’ve said that on one level the water
represents Christ—the living water. Well, so does the priesthood holder. In
your life, as you try to immerse yourself in His word and His works, as you try
to fill your life with His love, He will stand beside you, and help you in
those efforts.
There will come moments in your
life when you will realize that you have not been immersing yourself as you
should—even though the burden is light, you may let it fall. You might slip up
on the word of wisdom, or you could miss church some week. What then? Well,
what would happen if, during your baptism, you were not completely immersed? You
would just have to try again. That’s it. And you’d try again until you got it
right. With baptism and with life, as long as you don’t give up, as long as you
keep trying, things will work out. They will work out because Christ will never
give up on you. If you are willing to take His hand, He will take yours, and
lead you gently along until someday you will find yourself at His side, in the
presence of God, to go no more out.
Remember this:
- You
are committing your whole self—the Book of Mormon prophet Alma explained
that one part of the covenant we make at baptism is to “stand as a witness
of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be
in, even until death.”
- The
baptismal water represents that living water: You should fill your life
with love, service, goodness, and light. And, as you do, reflect that to
others.
- You
are not alone. Jesus Christ will stand by you as you lay down the life of
the old man of sin, as you begin a new life of discipleship and membership
in the restored church of Jesus Christ, and, ultimately, after you die and
are raised up to be with and become like Him.
That is the path you begin today. I want you to know that this path has been beautiful for me. I believe with all my heart that it is true and good.
