AUGUST 31 - START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

Luke 3:16
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. 

Christ’s baptizing His followers with or in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11) would be a new sign by which to identify God’s people.

1. This was promised through prophecy in Joel 2:28 and reaffirmed by Jesus Himself after His resurrection (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8). This prediction began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
2. Christ’s ministry of baptizing (immersing, cleansing and empowering) His followers in the Holy Spirit is a continuing ministry throughout this present age. This is made clear by the Greek text of John 1:33 (“he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”); this phrase uses the present participle (ho baptizon), meaning “he who will continue to baptize.” This means that the references in Luke and John are not only to the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit (when God generously sent His Spirit to fill and empower His followers) during Pentecost, but also to the important ongoing role of Jesus as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39).
3. The purpose of this baptism is to provide great spiritual power, inspiration, and enthusiasm to live for Christ and spread His message (Luke 3:16; 24;49; Acts 1:8). 

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Matthew 3:11
“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. 

John teaches that the work of the Messiah will involve baptizing His followers with the Holy Spirit and fire. This baptism would provide great spiritual power and enthusiasm to live for Christ and spread His message (Luke 3:16). Many scholars view the reference to “fire” as referring to the spiritually purifying presence of God and the refining work of God’s Spirit. The context of this passage, however, could mean that “fire” refers to judgment (Verse 12, Luke 3:17); “unquenchable fire” is the same as the “lake of fire” in Revelation 20:10, 14-15. Like the Old Testament prophets, John did not see or describe the time gap between the first and second comings of Christ. Jesus came first as the Messiah, to save people spiritually and baptize them in the Holy Spirit (Verse 11; Acts 1:5). He will come again as the judge who separates the wheat from the chaff, the godly from the ungodly (Verse 12; Revelation 20:15).

​​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE:

• NIV Bible
• KJV, Personal Size Reference Bible
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• R.S.V.P. Ballpoint Pen

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AUGUST 29 - START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

John 1:33 
I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 

The word “with” is a translation of the Greek proposition en and can mean “by,” “with” or “in.” An alternate translation would be “he who will baptize in the Holy Spirit,” just as “baptize with water” may be understood as “baptize in water” (the word “baptize” literally means to “immerse,” or put under water).
     All the Gospels (the accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) state that Jesus is “he who will baptize with [in] the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). This baptism – a sign of cleansing and empowering – was to be the dynamic characteristic and distinction of Jesus’ followers. The Holy Spirit would be poured out on them (and into them) so that they might continue to carry His message of spiritual salvation throughout the world (Acts 1:8). The task of baptizing in the Spirit is the ongoing purpose of Jesus to this day (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:39). 

​​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE:

• NIV Bible
• KJV, Personal Size Reference Bible
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• R.S.V.P. Ballpoint Pen

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our post that might interest you:​

​​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE:

• NIV Bible
• KJV, Personal Size Reference Bible
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• R.S.V.P. Ballpoint Pen

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

​Some of our post that might interest you:

​​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE:

• NIV Bible
• KJV, Personal Size Reference Bible
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• R.S.V.P. Ballpoint Pen

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

​Some of our post that might interest you:

​Some of our post that might interest you:

​​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE:

• NIV Bible 
• KJV, Personal Size Reference Bible
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• R.S.V.P. Ballpoint Pen

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

​Some of our post that might interest you: