With the Holy Spirit and fire

With the Holy Spirit and fire

Scripture:

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 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.” Matthew 3:11-12

Observation:

In John the Baptist’s next few verses, he now focuses on the coming Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. He begins by distinguishing his baptism, which was a baptism for repentance, and the Messiah’s baptism, which would be with the Holy Spirit and fire. John’s further description of the Messiah is like a farmer with a winnowing fork who is clearing his threshing floor, separating the wheat which will be stored in the barn from the chaff which will be burned up.

The Greek word “baptizo” from which we get baptize is literally translated “to dip”.  The picture we get then of someone being baptized is to be dipped, or immersed into the water. Another picture of this is like going under a waterfall. John’s baptism was with water and for repentance, which means “changing of the mind” in Greek. The meaning here does not refer to a flippant change of the mind like deciding to eat chicken rice instead of char kway teow for lunch, but a deep, complete turn-around of one’s thinking. The Hebrew Word for repent means “to turn around”. Those without God are primarily concerned with their own selfish wants and desires. They do not realize they are sinners or perhaps even don’t care if they sin. Those who recognize they are sinners begin a road to redemption. They realize that sin will only lead them to death, and so turn from sin and instead begin seeking for redemption, which they will find in fullness in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The baptism of Jesus is with the Holy Spirit and fire. In the book of Acts, this event was first shown as the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on Pentecost in the form of tongues of fire, and they began speaking in foreign languages. Today, Jesus continues to baptize those who ask Him with the Holy Spirit, who speak out in new tongues. Today, the baptism of the Holy Spirit still remains an issue of contention for some of the conservative churches who believe that speaking in tongues was only for that time in history. However, there is massive growth of the Pentecostal churches in the world in the last century, and the church at large is recognizing that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is just as relevant and powerful today as it was 2,000 years ago. Still, as the late Derek Prince pointed out, a tongue-speaking Christian is no better than a non-tongue speaking Christian. However, if a devoted Christian were to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, his effectiveness in God’s service would be magnified to even higher levels. Derek Prince likens the difference as if changing from using a watering bucket to using a hose when watering the plants.

Lastly, the image of Jesus as a farmer on the threshing floor reminds us of the great Separation that will happen at the end of the age when the Lord will separate out those who belong to Him from those who don’t. In another parable, He warns that not everybody who thinks they know Him actually do. This is a warning for all of us to check our faith, to see if our heart is devoted to the Lord or whether we are actually devoted to our own self and the world.

Application:

Think of the word repentance. What is the condition of our mind? What we think about show us what we believe. Is our Lord and righteousness and love a priority in our minds, or are our minds filled with other worldly things. We need to change and renew our minds to be set on God’s kingdom and His righteousness.  Ask God for more of His Spirit in Jesus name. Picture ourselves immersed under the Holy Spirit like a waterfall. Open wide our mouths and let God fill it, as the Psalmist writes. Speak forth in new tongues and praise the Lord, with great joy! Finally, even in our times of silence, remember the Lord’s day is coming, and seek Him even more. He will separate the wheat from the chaff! Let us put our entire trust in Him and seek to follow Him and live by His Holy Spirit

Prayer:

Change my mind and heart O Lord, that I might be wholly devoted to you. Let the things of the earth fade away, and lead me in Your ways everlasting. Set my mind and heart O Lord, on Your kingdom and righteousness. Give me more of Your Holy Spirit O Lord, so much more. Wash over me like a waterfall, O Holy Spirit. I open my mouth, and ask that You fill it, O Lord. Let me speak forth with fountains of joy welling from inside me. Praise be to Your Holy name! Guard me and protect my heart always O Lord I pray. Preserve me and keep me save, even till the day of Your coming! In Jesus name, Amen.