I arrived at the outpost. The outpost was small. There were not a lot of people there besides my guys. This was my third stop on this rotation.

I always looked forward to visiting here. A young soldier who was on fire for God lived here. Since there was not a chaplain permanently assigned to this outpost, this soldier took it upon himself to lead a Bible study. The study was very well attended at that.

As soon as I got off the helicopter, I made my way to where I knew I would find him. I walked around the corner of his building and found him filling up a large metal container.

Being funny I shouted, “Hey brother, getting ready to do a baptism?”

To my surprise he shouted back, “Hey Chap, I sure am! You got here just in time. You can do the baptism.”

“Seriously man? You getting ready to do a baptism?” I queried.

“Sure am.” He responded and then he went on to tell me about a comrade that he had led to Christ and now the guy wanted to be baptized.

After sharing the story, he asked me again, “So you gonna do it?”

My reply was simple, “No, you are.”

“But you are the chaplain.” He said.

“True, but you discipled him. This is your baptism to do, not mine.”

A couple hours later, my friend baptized a new brother into Christ.

QUESTION

Was I wrong? Should I have allowed this young soldier, a Christian, a disciple of Christ, who wasn’t an ordained pastor or a chaplain to do that baptism?

If you read my previous post, I mentioned that sometimes you do what you have to do.

For those who question the authority of this young man, remember what Jesus said.

Then Jesus said.

The authority of Jesus is all that matters.  After reminding us this, he then tells every one of us – his disciples – to go make disciples and to baptize them.

I got it. I understand the purpose of keeping order and discipline in the church. Nobody wants someone out there haphazardly baptizing people.

There are times and places however, that you do what you have to do, especially in the name of Jesus.

Now go make some disciples.