Sprit and Fire
to minister in the temple, to wear a linen garment, and eat the showbread and the portions designated for them from the offered sacrifices (Luke 1:9; Lev. 7:34). However, John the Baptist, even though he was a priest, gave it all up. His preaching took place in the wilderness, his clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he ate locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4). He abandoned the ancient religious traditions because his function was to pave the way for the Lord Jesus, preaching repentance and foretelling His arrival, which established a new beginning. “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (vv. 5-6). “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (vv. 11-12).
With the Holy Spirit and Fire Some Bible teachers interpret the last part of verse 11 of Matthew 3 as follows: “He will baptize 12