Matt
3:11-12 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. NIV
Much
has been said over the years about the meaning of this verse. In order to
understand it’s meaning and application to the believer in Christ, we must take
ourselves back in time and place. John the Baptist, who spoke these words, was
baptizing Jewish worshippers of God, who were repenting (turning) from sin, in
preparation for the “kingdom of heaven.”
He
was also prophesying that the coming King, would baptize (which means immerse
fully) these same children of Israel in a different way. This King’s baptism
would first involve an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Those that knew their
scriptures would most likely be thinking of Joel 2:28 "It will come about after this That I
will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will
prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions." NASU
In
times past, the Holy Spirit had “come upon” individuals but not been poured out
in the manner predicted. The beginning of this pouring out was literally
fulfilled, as verified by the apostle Peter, and recorded by Luke in Acts, chapter
2.
These
same people would likely have understood the “fire” in light of Mal 3:2 "But who can endure the day of His
coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and
like fullers' soap." NASU
This
would be the refiner’s fire of testing to see whether or not one was wheat or
chaff, as it says in verse 12 of Matthew 3. Wheat would represent those who
have truly put their trust in the King, Jesus. Chaff represents those who do
not put their trust in Him. If you read verse 12, you see the consequences of
that decision.
For
the believer in Christ, water baptism is a picture of dying (to ourselves and
the bondage to sin) and being raised in newness of life. Rom 6:4 “We were
therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life.” NIV
It
should also be understood as a reminder that the Holy Spirit would be poured
out on us as well. We need this outpouring because we will go through the
refiner’s fire and we want to pass the test! 1 Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery
ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange
thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings
of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you
may rejoice with exultation.” NASU
So,
if you are a believer, you can approach fiery trials with rejoicing as the Holy
Spirit pours out His strength, comfort and compassion upon you, “so that you
will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above
reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
appear as lights in the world,” (Phil 2:15-16) NASU
If
you have not yet placed your faith in the King who has come and will come again
in judgment, I pray that you will not delay. Turn from your sin and receive the
forgiveness that only comes by the grace of Jesus Christ.
God
bless you,
Coach
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