Episode Overview

Podcast: Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Episode: 1171 | Jase Confronts the Celebrity Baptizer Craze After Missy’s Poolside Moment
Date: September 23, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode dives deep into authentic faith, exploring the meaning and practice of baptism, the potential distractions of “celebrity baptizers,” and the centrality of relationship with Jesus. The hosts—Al, Jase, Zach, and Jay—discuss personal stories about spontaneous baptisms at home, theological concerns about idolizing those who baptize, and how the Holy Spirit transforms believers from within. The conversation is both practical and theologically rich, laced with family anecdotes and honest, unfiltered insights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Missy’s Poolside Baptism Experience (00:28 – 05:22)

• Retreat for Young Women: Missy hosts a mentoring retreat where strangers gather, study the Bible, and bond.
• Spontaneous Baptism: With no men present and several women wishing to be baptized, Missy performs the baptisms herself—her first time.
• Reflecting on Who Baptizes:

  “It doesn’t really matter who’s doing the baptizing... I agree, they were not leaving. And so I thought it was interesting.” —Al (02:10)

• Powerful Testimonies: One woman, linked to the military, says afterward, “I’m so sorry I left my old self in your pool,” moving Missy deeply.

2. The “Celebrity Baptizer Craze” & Theological Considerations (03:47 – 10:23)

• Dangers of Idolizing Baptizers:

  “...people who were, instead of following Jesus, they were following the people who were baptizing them. And Paul says ... ‘Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.’” —Al (03:24)

• Jase & Al Push Back: The family often gets requests to baptize people but encourages a focus on Jesus rather than the baptizer’s fame.
• Gender & Ordination in Baptism:

  “It really isn’t important ... I don’t think male or female would make any difference. People will even say, ‘well, are you ordained to do this?’ ... There’s no doubt the spontaneity of the first century.” —Jay (08:33)

• Baptisms as Opportunities, Not Arguments: Citing the Book of Acts, they stress the value of responding to spiritual opportunities without over-complicating the process.

3. Authentic Conversion vs. Public Performance (09:04 – 15:48)

• Avoiding Distraction:

  “First time I became famous and did an event, the first handful of people I did an altar call … wanted a picture. … I thought, well, I’m a distraction.” —Jase (09:12)

• True Change Over Recognition:

  “If someone falls in love with Jesus, you’re not going to have to worry about trying to get them to do anything. They’re not going anywhere.” —Jase (10:06)

• Memorable Missy Quote:

  “She was nervous about it till she entered the water. And she just said, then I thought, this is not about me. … I was just glad to have a front row seat.” —Al, recounting Missy (13:56)

• Funny Baptism Stories: The family shares laughs about mishaps but underscores the eternal importance of the decision.

4. Interpreting John 16: Warnings, Witness, and Winning (15:49 – 19:47)

• Outline of John 16: Warning of persecution, promise of the Spirit, and the assurance that “we win.”
• Charlie Sheen Story as Illustration: Jay draws a parallel to Sheen’s life, saying, “He wasn’t winning. He was losing his mind... now he’s sober... now you’re winning. I hope he’s winning in a spiritual sense.” (17:25)
• Relevance of Cross & Resurrection:

  “Even if you become morally better… ultimately death is still staring at you.” —Al (18:27) “He [Jesus] cleaned you, but he also redeemed you. … Which makes you eternal.” —Al (18:57)

5. Law, Spirit, & Relationship (19:47 – 39:00)

• Understanding the Law vs. Life in the Spirit:

  “The law was simply the way you were supposed to be... the problem is we actually can’t do that because of our sin.” —Zach (20:00)

• Fruit of the Spirit vs. Effort:

  “Peace is not something that you necessarily choose. It’s something that’s a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.” —Zach (22:00)

• Rule-Oriented vs. Relationship-Oriented Faith:

  “We tend to… make it kind of a rule-oriented equation.” —Al (24:41) “You have to get to the place… where the centerpiece of the relationship is actually to be known and to know the other.” —Zach (39:00)

• Walking in the Light (1 John): New Christians struggle with “keep on sinning.” Al and Jay clarify that it means a lifestyle, not a single act (30:30).
• Freedom, Not Burden:

  “In the spirit, you come to realize these commandments are not burdensome, these commandments are liberating.” —Zach (43:30)

6. Maturity, Discernment, and the Role of the Holy Spirit (46:06 – 56:09)

• Imitating God Through Love:

  “How are you going to do that? ... Live a life of love. That’s how you imitate God.” —Al (46:06)

• Contrast with Legalism: “Be wary of even a hint of sexual immorality…” as a warning against manipulating the law for self-justification.
• Discernment Enabled by the Spirit:

  “So in the garden, you think... Now when you have the Holy Spirit, that same question is going to come up. The evil one is still on the earth. … And the Holy Spirit inside of you says, ‘That’s exactly what He said.’” —Al (52:00)

• Living Sacrifice & Maturity: Citing Hebrews 5 and Romans, the hosts stress that spiritual maturity brings discernment and joy.

7. Final Takeaway: True Victory (55:34 – 56:20)

• Colossians 2: New Life and Disarmed Powers:

  “He [Jesus] forgave you your sins. … And I canceled the written code with its regulations and I disarmed the powers, so now the Holy Spirit can say no.” —Al (56:09)

• Winning Defined:

  “Winning, but real winning.” —Jay (56:20)

  • Not temporal, but eternal, found only through Christ’s work and the Spirit’s presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m so sorry that I left my old self in your pool.” —Military spouse baptized by Missy (04:30)
• “I tell you what, you go home and study the Book of John like I just told you, and give your life to Christ and I’ll take a picture with you on the other side of the resurrection.” —Al to an altar call participant (15:00)
• “We want the Spirit of God. We want to be faithful. It is a desire. It’s a human desire for the right thing… That’s why the homing beacon is in all people to go home to God.” —Jay (49:04)
• “If someone falls in love with Jesus, you’re not going to have to worry about trying to get them to do anything.” —Jase (10:06)
• “In the Spirit, you actually come to realize these commandments are not burdensome. They’re liberating.” —Zach (43:30)
• “Now when you have the Holy Spirit, ...The Holy Spirit inside of you says, ‘That’s exactly what He said.’” —Al (52:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:28 – 05:22: Missy’s poolside baptism story and reflections on spontaneous baptisms
• 03:47 – 10:23: Dangers of “celebrity baptizer” culture; theological scriptural reflections
• 09:04 – 15:48: Celebrity distractions during altar calls and keeping the focus on Jesus
• 13:56: Missy’s personal feelings during her first baptism
• 15:49 – 19:47: Introduction to John 16’s sections—warning, witness, winning
• 20:00 – 39:00: Law vs. Spirit, fruit of the Spirit, and relationship versus ritual
• 30:30: Interpreting 1 John’s “keep on sinning” and assurance in the Spirit
• 43:30: Life in the Spirit as liberation, not burden
• 46:06: Living as imitators of God through love
• 52:00: Garden of Eden tie-in: Holy Spirit as the affirming inner voice
• 53:54: Spiritual maturity and discernment, referencing Hebrews 5
• 55:34 – 56:20: Colossians 2: spiritual victory through Christ

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation maintains the authentic, conversational style typical of the Robertson family: warm, direct, theologically earnest, sometimes humorous, and always unafraid to challenge religious conventions. The episode balances deep theological reflection with practical “real life” wisdom, making faith not only understandable but actionable.

For listeners seeking guidance on baptism, the Holy Spirit, and walking in authentic faith free from celebrity distractions, this episode offers scriptural insight, encouragement, and plenty of Robertson-family storytelling to bolster your walk.