I was baptized when I was 14. My parents had decided to give me the choice of when and if I wanted to be baptized. I really appreciated that, because they didn’t baptize me under their faith, it was all about the kind of relationship I wanted to have with God. It was the same with communion, I didn’t take it until, I understood the importance behind it. Because it was a choice to me it was more than just symbolism, it was me knowing I was fully committing myself to God and wanting to do so. Because of that I would say that what I experienced was somewhat of a “mystery” because it was more than just the action behind it, it was the heart and ambition.
I believe God can have encounters and connection with us all the time because we carry the Holy Spirit within us. But I believe spirit baptism and speaking in tongues is sacramental because they aren’t regular experiences and encounters with God. I believe they are called spiritual gifts for a reason, God is giving us an extra gift of grace, and showing us another side of his love because we were faithful and willing to go deeper with him.