Luke 3:18 – THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (LUKE 3:1-20)

And John continued to tell the Good News, saying many other things to help the people.
— Luke 3:18 (ERV)

NOVEMBER 12, 2010 – THE NEW BIBLE COMMENTARY
PAGE 844, 845

THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (LUKE 3:1-20)

John having received a call from God, John began to preach repentance

Used baptism as a sign of repentance

Bring forth fruits proving their repentance, and gave them practical directions to forsake their besetting sins.

He “awakened” the populace with this new wonder

John baptized with water

Messiah was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and execute judgement

John had a call to prepare a highway for the coming Messiah

The people thought that the judgement of the Messiah was to be executed upon their Gentile oppressors. John warned them of a coming judgement for the Jews themselves, and declared it was imminent.

Then he points the contrast between his own baptizing with water and the Messiah’s baptizing with the Holy Spirit (Math 3:11) (Mark 1:8) (John 1:33)
Obviously there was an intended parallel between John’s baptizing with water and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The rite John introduced was based upon the promises of the prophets (Isaiah 54:3) (Ezekiel 36:25-27). And with fire. This refers to the purifying power of the Spirit’s work, while water refers to its cleansing power.

On this day…

• Substitutionary Atonement – 2025
• A Place Of Peace And Blessings – 2025
• Zechariah 14 – 2024
• Zechariah 13 – 2024
• April 13, 2014 – 2014
• AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER? – 2009
• HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CARRIED AWAY FOR HIM? – 2009
• The Leadership Economy – 2008
• Prayer – 2007
• Proberbs 9:10 – 2007