A faithful ministry will always have an impact, and will always cause the people to have an interest. As happened in John the Baptist's. At the time of Jesus' baptism, John did not know that Jesus was the Christ. But he knew he was preparing the way for him. He was acting as an Old Testament prophet. The words he spoke in verses 16 and 17 were a prophecy from God, pointing towards Christ.
The Majesty and Might of Gods Messiah
1) The Images Used by John the Baptist. a. The Image of Baptism (v16.) - Johns baptism: Physically immersive, and figuratively overwhelming. b. The Image of Threshing. - Thoroughly gathering the wheat into the garner, and burning the chaff. c. The Messiah's majesty and might is seen in the twofold nature of his work. That of salvation and damnation.
- Salvation: Christ baptizes his church with the Holy Spirit.The purpose of this baptism is for the furtherance of the gospel. (Acts 11:15-16) The Image of Threshing also shows salvation: He gathers his Church into His garner, He purges the threshing floor to divide the wheat and chaff, to gather his people/church into his garner. And is done so throughly so none of his people will be lost. - Damnation: "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire", may not be referring to the baptizing of fire on the apostles, (Acts 2:3+4), but the fact that Christ baptizes his people with the Holy Spirit, and sinners with the fire of Judgement. And in the threshing floor; the picture of burning the separated chaff, is an image of Christ sending the lost into the fires of hell.
The Messiah is Mighty and Majestic in his sovereign authority to save and to damn.
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