IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 22,2012
JESUS, THE BAPTIZER
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. Matthew 3:11
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:8
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. John 1:33
When I received the gift of the Holy Ghost, the focus was on the Holy Ghost being a gift: "Ask...recieve." I have friends who have told me of their experiences which centered around "tarrying."
But I am struck by David Duplessis' understanding which focuses on Jesus as the Baptizer. This is obviously scriptural, as Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:8 and John 1:33 indicate.
In his book, A Man Called Mr. Pentecost, David DuPlessis says, "As for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, Christ immerses us in the Spirit, rather than in water, and He leaves us there. We have to walk in the Spirit. This is our new life."
Yes, Jesus is the baptizer and is desiring that all the members of His body be baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire, so that we are powerful and full of love and forgiveness.
Today, let Jesus be your baptizer!
