Post by Les Brewer on Jul 2, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
Grace Ministries Bible Study
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part 6)
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"
John’s assignment from God was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the Christ, Jesus Christ. He was to prepare the hearts of the people by bringing them to the awareness and knowledge of their need to confess and repent of sin and their need for a Savior. The assignment for the disciples of Christ has not changed.
John begins in this verse to expound on the difference between his baptism and the baptism of the coming Messiah. He made it very clear that he was not the Messiah. In fact, John recognizes and acknowledges the fact that he was not even worthy to serve the Lord in the lowest servants position. We as the servants of the true and the living God must recognize that we are not worthy of the call on our lives. Like John we are not even worthy of the privilege of taking off His shoes and we are certainly not worthy to carry His message of salvation to all the world. Yet He has entrusted us with this glorious treasures to freely share.
In comparing his baptism with the baptism that was to come through Jesus Christ, John states “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” The nature element of water has no power. Water baptism is powerless. It can’t and will never be able to do what Jesus’ baptism will and does do in the life of a man or woman. John’s baptism prepared the hearts of the people to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost that only Jesus could give. John’s ministry was great. They came from all over the region to hear and be baptized of him, but John proclaimed to the people that “he that cometh after me is mightier than I.” John knew from his mother Elizabeth’s womb that Jesus, his cousin, was the Almighty God.
John proclaims to the people and to us that “he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Jesus baptizes us with God’s Spirit and His power. Are you filled with the powerful presence and power of God? If so, this gift has been given to you so that Jesus can work the works of the Father through you. We are His disciple call to continue the work of our Lord through the power of His Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:1 says, “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast the out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” This was the first group of disciples He sent out. So that we are assured that this power was not regulated to the twelve, but to all His disciples our Lord sent out seventy giving them that same power. This is the work we have been called to do. We are Jesus’ disciples and we have been given that same Holy Ghost power. Hallelujah!! Let’s be about our Father’s business.
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part 6)
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"
John’s assignment from God was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the Christ, Jesus Christ. He was to prepare the hearts of the people by bringing them to the awareness and knowledge of their need to confess and repent of sin and their need for a Savior. The assignment for the disciples of Christ has not changed.
John begins in this verse to expound on the difference between his baptism and the baptism of the coming Messiah. He made it very clear that he was not the Messiah. In fact, John recognizes and acknowledges the fact that he was not even worthy to serve the Lord in the lowest servants position. We as the servants of the true and the living God must recognize that we are not worthy of the call on our lives. Like John we are not even worthy of the privilege of taking off His shoes and we are certainly not worthy to carry His message of salvation to all the world. Yet He has entrusted us with this glorious treasures to freely share.
In comparing his baptism with the baptism that was to come through Jesus Christ, John states “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” The nature element of water has no power. Water baptism is powerless. It can’t and will never be able to do what Jesus’ baptism will and does do in the life of a man or woman. John’s baptism prepared the hearts of the people to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost that only Jesus could give. John’s ministry was great. They came from all over the region to hear and be baptized of him, but John proclaimed to the people that “he that cometh after me is mightier than I.” John knew from his mother Elizabeth’s womb that Jesus, his cousin, was the Almighty God.
John proclaims to the people and to us that “he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Jesus baptizes us with God’s Spirit and His power. Are you filled with the powerful presence and power of God? If so, this gift has been given to you so that Jesus can work the works of the Father through you. We are His disciple call to continue the work of our Lord through the power of His Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:1 says, “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast the out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” This was the first group of disciples He sent out. So that we are assured that this power was not regulated to the twelve, but to all His disciples our Lord sent out seventy giving them that same power. This is the work we have been called to do. We are Jesus’ disciples and we have been given that same Holy Ghost power. Hallelujah!! Let’s be about our Father’s business.