Baptism is a Sacrament and a means of grace - God DOES something in this moment. It is a symbol, and in theology, a symbol is a real way to participate in the unknowable mystery of God.

It is a symbol of cleansing, healing, forgiveness, life, and protection. We are born into a world corrupted with evil; yet God, from the very beginning, reclaims us. Furthermore, baptism is a sign to the whole universe saying,  “that which is bent away from God is reclaimed by God to be redeemed and loved and blessed.”

In our own baptism, we are enfolded into the Baptism of Jesus. So, what God said then of Christ is what God now says to the baptized: “You are my child, whom I dearly love, in you I find happiness!”

Baptism also marks our ordination into the priesthood of all believers. Baptism becomes our identity: you are one of the baptized. It comes with responsibility to be a priest, to bring offerings, to be a part of the church, to help connect people to God, to serve, and so much more.

It is, and always has been, the initiation rite of the church (as circumcision was and is for the Jewish people - this is one reason we baptize infants at our church and in our denomination). For you who have already been baptized, let it be an opportunity to reaffirm your baptism, your faith, and your commitment to Christ.

By definition, someone can only be baptized once. The creed we confess says, "we believe in ONE baptism...." The church has taken a very clear stance that baptism is a one time thing, a thing that GOD does, and God doesn't need do-overs. But don't worry if you have been baptized more than once - God understands - the others were just reaffirmations where someone accidentally used water :-) 

A reaffirmation ritual is a chance for someone to physically express their desire to live into the baptismal covenant. But an official ritual is not the only option. We all can reaffirm our baptisms every time we witness a baptism, when we confess the creed in worship each week, when we touch the water in the baptismal font at the entrance of the sanctuary, when we receive the Lord's Supper, and through prayer (see below).

One final note: baptism is something GOD does, not us. Baptism is not our testimony, but it is God acting on our behalf, claiming us as God's own, and welcoming us into the community of God's people.

Here are a set of prayers to help us remember and live into our vows made at baptism, whether we remember them or not:
 

Lord God, our spring of eternal life, help us remember and live into our baptismal vows.

Help us to continue in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayer.

Help us to persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to you, our Lord

Help us to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.  

Help us to press on in the faith, practicing the means of grace, seeking full salvation and Christian maturity.

Help us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Help us to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory. Amen.