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NASB | Matthew 3:11 ¶ "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 3:11 ¶ "As for me, I baptize you with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self--your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment). [Luke 3:16] |
Subject: Baptized by Holy Spirit? |
Bible Note: Hi, Ed... No feelings on my part. Text is our topic of study and it is text with which we interact. I read a study which revealed that the majority of the time people read emotion in text that was not present in the writer. I try to avoid all that by writing what mean and meaning what I write. After all, if I am to be judged for a careless word, how much more so a careful word (Matthew 12:36-37). I do not think that people are afraid to discuss these things. For example, Benny Hinn and Creflo Dollar are not timid about it; nor have people like Hank Hanegraaff and John MacArthur. Indeed, from Montanus in the early church, through the enthusiasts in the Reformation, all the way to the ecstaticism of our own day, it is something that continues to receive a lot of attention. Furthermore, I agree with your thinking that the Holy Spirit is essential to the spread of the gospel. He is also the restrainer of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:13); the instructor in righteousness (John 14:26), wisdom (Ephesians 1:17), love (Colossians 2:2-3), and knowledge (John 16:13); the convictor of sin (John 16:8); the regenerator of souls (John 3:6-8); the sanctifier of the redeemed (Ephesians 3:14-16); the persuader (Titus 3:5-6); the unifier of the church (Ephesians 4:1-6); illuminator of the Word (1 Corinthians 2:14-15; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27); etc. I like what Martin Luther once wrote, "I marvel at those who so boast in the Spirit, but show forth so little of it." Scripture adjures us to careful judgment (John 7:24; 2 Corinthians 13:5; James 5:9). Nonetheless, we are not asked to compare ourselves with people. Instead, what we are given are evidences, since the inner reality cannot help but be manifested externally. As you pointed out, an evidence of the Holy Spirit is pointing others to Christ. In terms of character, we have that wonderful list of evidentiary fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). Thus, when we see hatred, anger, divisiveness, rebellion, pugnacity, defensiveness, carelessness, self-righteousness, unkindness, abrasiveness, or gruffness, we can be certain that that person is not filled with the Holy Spirit. What is happening inside will always express itself outside (Luke 6:43-44). So we don't have to look for the razzle dazzle if the character is lacking. Maybe the razzle dazzle will be there, I cannot say, but it certainly will not be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit when the fruit is lacking. Thank you for the discussion! May God bless you as you seek to know Him through His self-revelation of the Word. In Him, Doc |