| Often John�s words of prophecy are cited in order to support the teaching that baptism in water is not what is spoken of as a saving act through scripture, but rather an internal baptism of �fire and the holy spirit.� Salvation is presented more as a subjective experience than a faithful decision to accept Christ through immersion. I would like to call your attention to how fire is used in this prophecy: Matt 3:11-12 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Luke 3:16-17 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." By following his prophecy with these words, he leads us to at least consider the possibility that "baptism in fire" is not something we would want a part in. If in the following verse he distinguishes between the wheat to be gathered in the barn, and the chaff to be burned in the fire, it stands to reason that in the verse which precedes it is also distinguishing between those who will be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and those who will be baptized in fire. This warning of coming judgement does appear to be a central theme of John's preaching, particularly when addressing the pharisees. The baptism, or "pouring out" of God's Spirit on Man relates particularly to the events of Acts 2 and 10. Pentecost First to the Jew The house of Cornelius Then also the Gentile In both of these accounts, John's words are recalled by Luke (Acts 1:5; 11:16)and applied to the particular occasions that corresponded to his prophecy. These events are presented as more than random accounts of conversion, but as the fulfillment of a great theme in prophecy. (Joel 2:28-32) God's Spirit was poured out on mankind making sonship available to all who would believe forever, first to the Jew, then also for the Gentile. The Spirit had come upon many in the Old Testament in this manner though - It was a demonstrative presence of God with man. 70 Elders Numbers 11:25-26 Balaam Numbers 24:2 Othniel Judges 3:10 Samson Judges 14:6,19; 15:14 Saul 1Samuel 10:10;11:6; 19:23 Simeon Luke 2:25 The promise of the Spirit offered to us through the covenant of Christ' blood, however, must be something peculiar to that new covenant. While the Spirit had come upon Cornelius' house just as He had on Jews throughout history, through baptism they would receive the indwelling seal of that Spirit - The Spirit by which we cry out "Abba, Father" and are recognized as sons and daughters. God came upon Cornelius� house in this manner to reveal to the Jews that God had granted the Gentiles the full right of sons also. What was the immediate response of the Jews? ""Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?" (Acts 10:47) This is why they are immediately baptized in water. They aren't baptized for the purpose of putting on a show. This is much more than symbolic testimony - it is a means of entering into a covenant of son-ship with God. The Spirit had come on them as a sign, He would indwell them as a seal when they received Him in this manner through immersion. John 14:17 The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. |
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| �I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.� Matthew 3:11 |