Not a Solo Act

Unity and Diversity in the Body

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

Growing up, I had friends who were baptized in their tween and teen years. Some of them even talked about getting ‘baptized again.’ Being an anxious child, I wondered:

“Did baptisms wear off? Are you supposed to be baptized more than once?”

Part of me sort of wanted to be baptized again as I didn’t remember my own. If I’m being honest, part of me also probably craved having that moment in the spotlight. So, I asked my mom who informed me that as Methodists, we believe in only one baptism.

While I was initially disappointed that I wasn’t going to remember experiencing my own baptism, I quickly found comfort in the Methodist way. The idea that, “once is enough” has stuck with me and reminds me that just as God’s love doesn’t fade, neither does the sacrament of baptism.

Since then, I’ve been blessed to witness many baptisms and reaffirm my own faith through their holy event. Having my own children — Parker and Mitchell — baptized with our family and friends surrounding us with love was especially momentous.

We don’t have to remember our own baptism to be blessed by the act every day. Baptism is not a solo act, but one that we all embark on together. We offer to support and nurture the person being baptized while renewing the covenant of our own baptism.

Baptism offers renewal and new life — even to those of us who are witnesses in the crowd.

Dear Lord, help us to remember what it means to be baptized. That it is a gift offered to us without price. Help us to nurture and guide the people whose baptisms we have been blessed to witness. Amen.

About Roxanne Sutton

Roxanne has been attending St. Thomas with her husband Brodie since 2007. During that time, she has been blessed by two sons, Parker and Mitchell, who enjoy participating in King’s Kids. She is an active member of SPRC, the communications committee, and live-stream tech team.