Luke 3:18 – THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (LUKE 3:1-20)
And John continued to tell the Good News, saying many other things to help the people.
– Luke 3:18 (ERV)
NOVEMBER 12, 2010 – THE NEW BIBLE COMMENTARY
PAGE 844, 845
THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (LUKE 3:1-20)
John having received a call from God, John began to preach repentance
Used baptism as a sign of repentance
Bring forth fruits proving their repentance, and gave them practical directions to forsake their besetting sins.
He “awakened” the populace with this new wonder
John baptized with water
Messiah was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and execute judgement
John had a call to prepare a highway for the coming Messiah
The people thought that the judgement of the Messiah was to be executed upon their Gentile oppressors. John warned them of a coming judgement for the Jews themselves, and declared it was imminent.
Then he points the contrast between his own baptizing with water and the Messiah’s baptizing with the Holy Spirit (Math 3:11) (Mark 1:8) (John 1:33)
Obviously there was an intended parallel between John’s baptizing with water and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The rite John introduced was based upon the promises of the prophets (Isaiah 54:3) (Ezekiel 36:25-27). And with fire. This refers to the purifying power of the Spirit’s work, while water refers to its cleansing power.
On this day...
- AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER? - 2009
- HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CARRIED AWAY FOR HIM? - 2009
- The Leadership Economy - 2008
- Prayer - 2007
- Proberbs 9:10 - 2007
- Acts 9:26 - 2007
- THE OPENED SIGHT - 2007
- DOES MY SACRIFICE LIVE? - 2007
- What, Lord, should I do? - 2007
- John the Baptist - 2007
- His Kingdom Come - 2007
- Rod and Staff - 2007
- Using Time Wisely - 2007
- Burden-bearing - 2007
- Generosity - 2007
November 11, 2010