“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[b] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and 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.”18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.” Luke 3.15-20
John was a faithful follower of God. He pursued the heart of God by seeking holiness. He came baptizing, helping people repent and be cleansed from their sins. But his baptism was limited; it lacked the power of God to save. The Messiah, Jesus, would come with a baptism of the “Holy Spirit and fire.”
John also suffered for the name of Jesus. After rebuking Herod, he was “locked up in prison” for proclaiming the truth. Ultimately, John lost his life because of the stand he took for God.
What I want to focus on is the baptism of John versus that of Jesus. Both lead to repentance, but only the baptism of Jesus brings salvation. John himself said as much. He was not offering something worthless; rather, he was preparing people for a genuine encounter with the living God. We cannot approach the throne of God with sin in our hearts. John helped spark an awakening that led many to faith in Christ.
Jesus’ baptism leads to salvation and redemption with God. Through the baptism of Jesus, we find faith, holiness, cleansing, and righteousness. The baptism of Jesus is offered to all who believe.
In my own life, I was baptized as an infant by my grandfather, Rev. Dr. Alfred H. Freeman. That baptism was an initiation into the faith, but it was not a “believer’s” baptism. It was not until I was 17 that I trusted Christ as my Savior, awakened to His love and power, and prayed a prayer of faith, being baptized by His Holy Spirit. I was filled with the Spirit of God and baptized in the baptism of Jesus (though no additional water was used).
Later in life, I was immersed by Brother Max Copeland of Marble Falls because I wanted to follow my belief with an act of faithfulness. I realized this was not necessary for my salvation; in truth, it was a remembrance of what God had already done. It was a celebration and an acknowledgment of His love for me.
The baptism of water is limited if it is not accompanied by faith and fire (the filling of the Holy Spirit).
Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you found faith in Christ? Did you know that Jesus lives in those who trust in Him? Surrendering your heart to Christ will result in your salvation and redemption. As Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Trust in Jesus today. Allow Him to fill you. Pray a prayer to receive Him as Lord, confess your sins, and see what happens next!
“O Lord God, You are good. I am so thankful that You have blessed me by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Come now, Lord. Find me faithful. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen