Lesson 678

(Lesson 678)(06-28-13) The next two examples in our study of the term "baptize" are found in Luke 3:16-18, "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people."

I add verses 17 and 18 of the quote to further qualify the fact that the term baptize is also used to describe, along with many other things, a lesson that is being, or to be, taught. As was noted in yesterday's lesson.

In today's example however, the application of the term "baptize" is used to define the placing within, or empowerment through the power of the Holy Ghost. Today's usage also implies an overwhelming of, or test by, a consuming fire.

John, in this statement, is clarifying that he could indeed immerse these Jews in a ritual "baptism", but Jesus, the Messiah, would have the power to "baptize" or place those who believed on Him, within the authority of the Holy Ghost whereby they would be retained as the *"sons of God". He was also explaining that the pretenders, or those who would not accept His saving grace, would be tried ("baptized") by fire, or even condemned ("baptized") to an eternity of the same.

Within this passage, there are three distinctly different intents specified by the usage of the same term, "baptize".

*John 1:12, "But as many as received" (were "baptized" into) "him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on" (and or "baptized" in) his name:"

I placed the parenthesized phrases in this quote to demonstrate that the term "baptize" can be applied to all manner of concepts and definitely does NOT always imply water immersion.~