Jesus' Baptism

About twelve disciples of Jesus in Ephesus, who were ignorant of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of Jesus, have listened to Paul and are no longer ignorant of the Holy Ghost. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Without fuss or fanfare, just by hearing the power witness of Jesus’ Spirit-baptized servant, Paul, these disciples know the baptism of Jesus. Indeed, right there and then, without having to go anywhere, Pentecost takes place in Ephesus.  What do we know? We know that the Holy Spirit is present, because Paul is present. He indwells Paul. We also know that Jesus is present to do His baptising, because Paul is present. He lives in Paul, His servant. I’m being made to look at this again and some striking facts hit home. Are you becoming more and more curious about certain things? Are some of these of your mind also?

This is what the Scripture reports. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. So has Jesus’ baptism been carried out through Paul, or by Paul? Our minds are led to John, as he speaks to the listening crowd about Jesus and His baptism.

If they saw John as a prophet from God, a holy man to be respected and revered, even the Messiah, perhaps, then says John, you are completely wrong. He is nothing compared with Jesus. John was most graphic, clear and detailed, in explaining the greatness of Jesus. Jesus is so high over me and above me, said John that I am not even worthy to be His lowest servant. Then John launches off to talk, not of birth, upbringing, works or any such like. He brings to them the subject of baptism. Why was this? What triggered this move in John? This was so because, the people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. Luke 3: 15.

I don’t know if John was given revelation to know what was in the minds and thoughts of those people, but I am quite certain that this must have been a hot topic of discussion among themselves. We are told that John answered them all with this response. I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3: 16. One of the things being exposed, revealed, settled and sealed in us about baptism, is that John made Jesus’ baptism as Jesus.  What do I mean?

Note, John makes this most obvious statement to the people. I baptise you with water. He is speaking to people whom he has already baptised with water and those who will be baptised by him, with  water. He makes it plain that they know him as a water-baptising person. Then he lifts Jesus to the highest, in worth and works as it were. O! Isn’t the Holy Ghost present!  O! How wonderful, how marvellous and how utterly stupendous, that He should be inclined to reveal such truth to us!

Come Holy Ghost, give us perfect response to You please. Amen!

Worth – John tells them that Jesus is more powerful than he. He gives them a most perfect picture-example to make his point clear, not able to be misunderstood. He goes to the feet of Jesus, the very shoes He wears and says that he, John, is not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. Doesn’t that speak for itself? Even the simplest mind can get that. 

Work – John does not only tell them that the Man Jesus is more powerful and more highly honoured than he, but he speaks of Jesus’ baptism in the same light. He also gives them a most perfect picture-example to make his point clear, not able to be misunderstood. He says that his baptism is of water, that which is common and used by all. Says John, Jesus’ baptism is not common and of the flesh, as it were. Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Nothing at all of flesh and everything of Spirit. Doesn’t that speak for itself? Even the simplest mind can get that. 

Tomorrow, we stay with Paul, Jesus’ power witness, as he leads these disciples to Jesus’ baptism.