Read Luke 3 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
Luke 3:1-38 Chiastic Structure:
John tells the people, that unless they repent, bringing forth good fruit testifying of their repentance, of which his baptism with water was the sign, they would be burnt with unquenchable fire in judgment, when Jesus comes as Judge. You might say that water baptism is a Natural Picture of a greater spiritual reality, that of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that is, the fire baptism.
It seems to be saying that fire is inevitable, being without in judgment, or within in baptism, our choice.
Why fire? It alludes back to Moses and his first encounter with God in the burning bush (Exo 3:1-22). You see, the presence of God was in the fire in the bush. The bush burned with the fire of His presence, but was not consumed. This is what the fire baptism does for us. His presence, through the agency of the Spirit, comes to dwell within us, so that we burn with fire, but are not consumed.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” Joh 14:16-17
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Joh 3:5-8
One being born of water refers to the natural birth, for a baby is born through the water of the amniotic fluid in the womb. Jesus confirms it when He says, “That which is born of flesh is flesh.” One being born of the Spirit is the spiritual birth. Being born in the flesh is the Natural Picture illustrating being born in the Spirit. The one being born is a new person.
Now, what was John encouraging the people to repent of? Of sin, that is, of Law or Torah-breaking (1 Joh 3:4). For us, the Law remains as Moses encoded it on Mount Sinai (Mat 5:17-19), but rather than being inscribed on two tablets of stone outside the man, so that obedience is a matter of a coerced will, requiring constant repentace for Law-breaking, with the new birth of the Spirit, the Law is inscribed on the tablets of the heart inside the man, so that obedience is a matter of second nature. The new covenant provided for the new birth (Joh 3:5), the new heart (Eze 11:19-20), and the new nature (2 Cor 5:17)!
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Joh 7:37-39
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luk 24:49
A new heart, a new nature, living water, a deep well of life for yourself and others, and power from on high – these are all fruits of the fire baptism. So how do we receive it? Forget what you may have heard the TV preachers say. Jesus says,
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luk 11:13
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