Lesson 5316

 Lesson 5316)(08-26-26) Luke 3:12-18 

   “Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 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.” 

 

      Today's quote relates that after John had instructed tax collectors and soldiers on righteous conduct, John addressed the people's wonderings about the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, by contrasting his ritual water baptism with the mightier work to come. He declared that Jesus will administer the true baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire, the transformative spiritual immersion that saves lost souls, gathering the wheat into His garner while burning the chaff with unquenchable fire. ~