Holy Spirit!

For Saturday, December 30, 2023:

Luke 3:16 NLT: “John (the Baptist) answered their questions by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’”

Everyone assumed the Messiah’s arrival was imminent, just around the corner. John was telling people to repent of their sins as he baptized them. They knew that only God could forgive sins against God’s law. So the question arose, is this “John” the one for whom we’ve been waiting?

John is quite clear in his response. He’s a number of things. He’s a baptizer, preparing the world for the soon-to-come Messiah. In a way he’s like a prophet, heralding the Messiah’s arrival. But he is not the one.

John makes mention of receiving the Holy Spirit, the ‘fire’ baptism. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by believing in Jesus Christ. Peter explains in Acts 2:38 “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit never leaves a believer, but mankind can become lax in worshiping God-the-Spirit. That’s why it’s essential to stay plugged in to a church, to recharge your Holy Spirit battery, to top off your Holy Spirit tank.

With the Spirit, we are prepared to do battle in the world in the name of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship