Watch/Listen
The Forgiveness of Our Sins
Brian Mashburn
February 7, 2010
Audio Player
Baptism
Among the Corinthian Christians, a little contest (of the “my-dad-is-better-than-your-dad” variety) had gotten out of hand. Evidently, they were puffing up their chests at each other, bragging about who had baptized whom and how much better it was to have been baptized by one minister of Christ over another.
Paul rebuked this by saying, “Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.” (1 Cor 1:13-16)
Who baptizes whom isn’t all that important in the big scheme of things. However, I think it significant that out of all the events that Jesus could have chosen to mark when a human being decides to follow Christ, he chose and modeled a relational event.
Romans explains that baptism into the water represents our death and burial with Jesus in the tomb, coming out of the water represents our resurrection with Jesus out of the tomb, into a brand new life, free of fear from sin and death.
But think about it. That message could be conveyed without someone else involved in your baptism. As he did to the blind man to give him sight, Jesus could have said, “Go, wash yourself.” (Jn 9:7) But he didn’t. Even he went to another human being to experience baptism. Even he had someone who stood in the baptismal waters with him, touched him, dialogued with him, and was right there by him as he took his first breath when he arose from the watery grave.
I haven’t kept specific records of the people I have had the pleasure of baptizing. I can tell you the names of many of them (just as Paul remembered Crispus and Gaius), but who baptized who just isn’t nearly as important as the name of Christ that is being taken on at baptism.
But today I will always remember. The details surrounding this day, the lessons I am learning, the people who are present, they are being seared into a permanent and most treasured of memories.
Today, I will baptize my son, Shade Canon Mashburn, into Jesus Christ.