The Coming Baptizing Ministry of Jesus Christ: Luke 3:15-17
“15) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16) John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17) His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”” Luke 3:15-17
Momentum was building. When you add up everything that had happened in the previous thirty years, God was definitely at work. This was crowned by the public ministry of John the Baptist. He was gaining a huge following. Even many of the religious leaders were seeking baptism.
The logical conclusion was that many started reasoning that John was the long awaited Messiah. The notion was gaining popularity.
John was indeed a messenger from God, but His role was not to promote Himself, it was to point people to Jesus. In a sense, every pastor, evangelist, missionary and believer has this same calling. We are called to be witnesses and point people to Jesus.
John was faithful to his calling. The Gospel of John 1:19-36 tells the story best. Take time to read this account of the ministry of John the Baptist.
Every Gospel including Acts 1:5 tells the same story of John the Baptist describing the coming ministry of Jesus Christ. He would be much greater than John and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Compare Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16-17, John 1:30-34, and Acts 1:5)
It shocks me how many Christian’s and churches are blinded to the emphasis of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire. Apart from His work on the cross to redeemed humanity, this would be His distinguishing ministry. He was about to usher in a new dispensation marked by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The power of the Holy Spirit was about to transform believers into new people. They would be radically different from their religious counterparts produced by Old Testament Judaism.
I sincerely question the salvation of any so called Christian who is ignorant and void of the ministry and fire of the Holy Spirit in their life. This is a biblical anomaly! It is a denial of the distinction of the kingdom of God, the Promise of the Father, the message of John the Baptist and the baptizing ministry of Jesus Christ! (Acts 1:3-8)
When the Holy Spirit is marginalized or ignored, the power of God is absent. In the absence of good teaching about the Holy Spirit, a key focus of the New Testament is being obscured.
In this void, spiritual gifts become a point of confusion and discord. Carnality reigns. The flesh is empowered.
I believe Satan is activity blinding people to the distinctive of this present age typified by the indwelling Holy Spirit. More tragic, Christianity is reduced to mere religion!
If this describes you, get your Bible out and start studying the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Then seek Jesus for this biblical promise. Ask, seek and knock until you receive. (See Luke 11:9-13)
Don’t back away until you are consumed by fire from heaven and the carnal chaff in your life is burned up. Don’t back down until the power of God comes upon you and you are filled with zeal to be a fruitful witness for Jesus Christ.
Don’t back yourself into a pathetic theological box that marginalizes the Holy Spirit and concludes that God does not do miracles today. This is a one way road into boredom, defeat and religious agnosticism.
Don’t resign yourself to living the Christian life in your own fleshly strength and self effort. You will either become legalistic or disillusioned while secretly wallowing in shame, conflict and bondage.
Embrace the words of John the Baptist about the coming ministry of Jesus Christ! Jesus came to save His people from their sin and baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Review John 1:29-34)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“15) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16) John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17) His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”” Luke 3:15-17
Momentum was building. When you add up everything that had happened in the previous thirty years, God was definitely at work. This was crowned by the public ministry of John the Baptist. He was gaining a huge following. Even many of the religious leaders were seeking baptism.
The logical conclusion was that many started reasoning that John was the long awaited Messiah. The notion was gaining popularity.
John was indeed a messenger from God, but His role was not to promote Himself, it was to point people to Jesus. In a sense, every pastor, evangelist, missionary and believer has this same calling. We are called to be witnesses and point people to Jesus.
John was faithful to his calling. The Gospel of John 1:19-36 tells the story best. Take time to read this account of the ministry of John the Baptist.
Every Gospel including Acts 1:5 tells the same story of John the Baptist describing the coming ministry of Jesus Christ. He would be much greater than John and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Compare Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16-17, John 1:30-34, and Acts 1:5)
It shocks me how many Christian’s and churches are blinded to the emphasis of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire. Apart from His work on the cross to redeemed humanity, this would be His distinguishing ministry. He was about to usher in a new dispensation marked by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The power of the Holy Spirit was about to transform believers into new people. They would be radically different from their religious counterparts produced by Old Testament Judaism.
I sincerely question the salvation of any so called Christian who is ignorant and void of the ministry and fire of the Holy Spirit in their life. This is a biblical anomaly! It is a denial of the distinction of the kingdom of God, the Promise of the Father, the message of John the Baptist and the baptizing ministry of Jesus Christ! (Acts 1:3-8)
When the Holy Spirit is marginalized or ignored, the power of God is absent. In the absence of good teaching about the Holy Spirit, a key focus of the New Testament is being obscured.
In this void, spiritual gifts become a point of confusion and discord. Carnality reigns. The flesh is empowered.
I believe Satan is activity blinding people to the distinctive of this present age typified by the indwelling Holy Spirit. More tragic, Christianity is reduced to mere religion!
If this describes you, get your Bible out and start studying the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Then seek Jesus for this biblical promise. Ask, seek and knock until you receive. (See Luke 11:9-13)
Don’t back away until you are consumed by fire from heaven and the carnal chaff in your life is burned up. Don’t back down until the power of God comes upon you and you are filled with zeal to be a fruitful witness for Jesus Christ.
Don’t back yourself into a pathetic theological box that marginalizes the Holy Spirit and concludes that God does not do miracles today. This is a one way road into boredom, defeat and religious agnosticism.
Don’t resign yourself to living the Christian life in your own fleshly strength and self effort. You will either become legalistic or disillusioned while secretly wallowing in shame, conflict and bondage.
Embrace the words of John the Baptist about the coming ministry of Jesus Christ! Jesus came to save His people from their sin and baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Review John 1:29-34)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
