Early last week I received an email from a gentleman who wanted me to deal with his Bible question on our TV program. He has sent a number of questions in the past. This one centers around something John the Baptist stated in Matthew 3:11. It reads, “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.” He wants to know what the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire means.

Let me first deal with a serious problem we face with most people that misunderstand this text. That is, they try to answer it without looking at examples in the Bible where this is fulfilled. This we will do later on in this article. But before we get to that, we need point out what is not in this verse. It’s assumptions that lead to false teaching.

When you read the text, John was not saying that everyone was going to receive the Holy Spirit. This we will clearly see when we examine the fulfillment of this promise. To take this text and teach that everyone in the future will be baptized by Jesus with the Holy Spirit is a clear mishandling of scripture. This is why there is so much false doctrine in the world today because people do this very thing with many verses in the Bible.

Let’s now study the context. This should help in ascertaining the meaning of Matthew 3:11. If you look at verse 10 and verse 12, you will see that John was dealing with two classes of people. There are those who are faithful to the Lord and those who are not. Thus, we are dealing with those being rewarded for being righteous and those being punished for being wicked. Why would we conclude that verse 11 isn’t linked with these truths?

Fire, in scripture, is often used to deal with the consequences for being evil (Jude 7; Matt. 25:41; II Thes. 1:8; Rev. 20:15 etc.). The word baptize means to immerse, which is a fitting term to describe those who will be baptized with fire. On the other hand, the faithful obtain the “gift of the Holy Spirit” when they become Christians (Acts 2:38). This gift is the hope of salvation, which every faithful saint enjoys.

This brings us to the fulfillment of those baptized by Jesus with the Holy Spirit. We need to see the link with Christ baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with providing the gift of the Holy Spirit for all the saved. Consider the promise Jesus gave His apostles concerning the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13; Acts 1:8).  Look at those passages carefully. For in them Jesus said His apostles would be guided into all truth and that it would happen when they were in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:1-4, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit. As they taught the life-saving message and people responded they could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – which was that hope of eternal life.

In one sense, what John stated would apply to everyone. After all, with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, all of mankind would be able to hear the gospel in order to be saved (Rom. 1:16). Then the baptism of the fire deals with all those who reject the Lord and do not obey the gospel (II Thes. 1:8). Please keep in mind this all has to do with the scheme of redemption Christ brought to this world.

I realize there are those who say they have had a “religious experience” and say they were “Baptized with the Holy Spirit and/or with fire”, however the Bible teaches otherwise. Even though Matthew 3:11 is used to support this idea, such is not the case. Let’s be sure we handle the word of God properly and do not twist the scriptures to our own destruction (II Pet. 3:16).

Chuck

We had the opportunity to share in the joy of Kevin and Samantha with the birth of their daughter, Willow. Without taking anything away from the happiness, I want us to once again be reminded of the God-given responsibilities placed upon all parents. I wants us to think more specifically as to what is means by, “…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:3). These principles apply to all, but how much more to our own children?

1. Teach them about the Lord and to respect His authority (Jn. 8:24).

2. Provide for all their needs, not all their wants (I Tim. 5:8).

3. Be watchful of every word that comes out of your mouth (Eph. 4:29).

4. Let your light always shine before them at all times (Matt. 5:13-16).

5. Have courage enough to exercise tough love and discipline them to help them grow (Heb. 12:5-11).

6. Protect them from the dangers that all children face in this world (Eph. 4:14).

7. Be understanding as a parent knowing that children are just that - children (I Cor. 13:11).

8. Instruct them to choose their friends wisely (I Cor. 15:33).

9. As they age to remember: your home, always your rules (Lk. 15:17-18).

10. Set aside pride and be willing to admit to your child when you did something wrong and do better (Prov. 29:23).

 Chuck

Our Lord made it perfectly clear that salvation is for everyone, since Christ’s death was for the whole world (Jn. 3:16). Let’s take a closer look at this to understand that there is absolutely no favoritism when it comes to the gospel message. The fact that it is to be taught to everyone (Mk. 16:15) is proof of this. Yet, let’s see additional evidence to this.

Your financial status doesn’t matter

When it comes to the grace of our Lord, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor. Unfortunately, people think those who are financially set are favored by God. Jesus said that the rain falls of the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). The message of the cross has nothing to do with money, and the sooner people understand this, the better off they will be. Keep in mind, preaching the gospel to everyone means everyone!

Your standing with men doesn’t matter

It was the apostle Paul who said that, “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble , are called.” (I Cor. 1:26). Notice the text said not many. This implies some do respond to the calling of the gospel. It’s vital that all realize that our Father in heaven doesn’t care about your status in society. After all, the Lord isn’t looking for those who seek the approval of men. To receive the lifesaving message means to put the Lord first (Gal. 1:10).

Your education level doesn’t matter

In the Corinthian text we mentioned in our last point, in the same chapter the apostle stated, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (I Cor. 1:23). To think you are required to have a high level of education to know the truth is false. In truth, many who reject the gospel are those who are very “smart” in man’s eyes. Remember that there are many intelligent people who fail to see the plain and simple gospel message.

Your sinful past doesn’t matter

For some, there is the idea that the gospel favors those who have lived a good, moral life. To think the gospel message isn’t for those who have lived a rough life, couldn’t be any more wrong. The fact is, everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). No one is more deserving of the death of Jesus than anyone else. The power of the gospel will change the life of anyone that will to turn and follow the Lord. It even happened to one who considered himself the chiefest of sinners (I Tim. 1:15).

Your age doesn’t matter

Other than being a child that doesn’t have the capacity to understand right and wrong, there is no age limit. The point here is that someone might be thinking that they have lived too long in sin, there is no place for them in God’s family. Again, that is just not true. Christ’s parable about the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16), dealt with this issue. Sometime people don’t hear the gospel until they are older. Even though at their conversion they regret their past, they are welcomed into God’s family. That’s what the gospel does.

Your race doesn’t matter

There is nothing in the gospel message that favors a certain race. If someone thinks so, you can be sure they don’t understand the message of the cross (Rom. 1:16). It matters not the color of your skin. Let’s not create barriers that are just not there.

Chuck

We all know of people who know the truth, but for some reason there is something that is holding them back. Here is a list of things that are responsible for individuals not doing what they need to do.

1. More of a love for the things this world has to offer (Lk. 18:18-23).
    
2. More of a love for man than God (Jn. 12:42-43).
    
3. Not convicted of sin and is willing to live in it (Rom. 6:3-9,17,19).
    
4. Having a feeling of comfort in almost obeying (Acts 26:27-29).
    
5. Waiting for a convenient time (Acts 24:24-27).
    
6. Unwilling to gladly receive the word (Acts 2:41).
    
7. Lack of faith (Heb. 11:6) 
    
8. Lack of understanding (Acts 8:30) 
    
9. Simply not willing to make the commitment (Matt. 11:28-30).

Remember: Anyone willing and wanting to obey the gospel – can!

Chuck

Christians have become a bit hesitant these days to refer to the New Testament church as “The Church of Christ.” While I was growing up, a minor debate on the “official name” of the church was going on. It was determined, and correctly so, that there was no one name that could be considered “official.” When it began on the Day of Pentecost, the body of Christ was simply called “the church” (Acts 2:47). This simple designation is found repeatedly in the book of Acts (5:11; 8:1, 3; 11:22, 26; 12:1, 5; 13:1; 14:23, 27; 15:3-4, 22; 18:22; 20:17).

Notably, one time it is referred to as “the church of God” (Acts 20:28), but even there “God” in that context is Jesus Christ Himself! He purchased the church with His own blood. The local church at Corinth was called “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2). So again, this is another way of saying “the church of Christ.” See also 1 Corinthians 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5, 15.

The first appearance of “church” in the New Testament is when Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “…I will build My church…” If we were to say that another way, it would be “the church of Christ” or “the church of Jesus Christ.” This would be most correct because the church found in the New Testament belongs to Jesus. He built it, He is its Founder, and it is Divine!

Thirty-five times in the New Testament the plural is used, such as at Romans 16:16, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” Often the phrase “churches of God” is used (1 Cor. 11:16; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4). So why do we not find faithful churches today using the phrase “Church of God”? It would be appropriate and certainly biblical, but not everyone would understand that “God” means “Christ” in this designation. So it would not be the most expedient phrase to use. But a church might still use it.

When we read about the seven churches in Asia (Rev. 2-3), it is abundantly evident that Jesus Christ is the Head of them! Jesus delivers positive encouragement and also rebuke when needed. In each of the seven letters, the churches are encouraged to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” But we know that the Spirit is delivering the message authorized by Jesus Christ (see Jn. 16:13-14). Jesus Christ is the One who “searches the minds and hearts” and gives to each one “according to your works” (Rev. 23:23). Jesus Christ is the One who threatens to remove their “candlestick” or “lampstand” of Divine Identity if they do not repent! (Rev. 1:20; 2:1, 5). So whether we refer to the redeemed saints as “the church,” “the church of Christ” or “the church of God (Christ),” the prevailing thought is that Jesus Christ is the Head of His church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22), “He is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23), and in all things He must have “the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).

With such overwhelming evidence, why are brethren today almost afraid to call the Lord’s body, “the church of Christ”? I fear that in trying to be so scriptural, we have “watered down” the point that there is one, true church, and that the many denominations today which call themselves “church of ____” are not really “churches” that belong to Christ at all! In the words of some pioneer preachers of the past, “in trying to go back to Jerusalem, some have passed it by and landed in Jericho!” I believe it is time to go to the Scriptures, the Creed Book of Jesus Christ, and call the church what it truly is — the church that belongs to  Christ! If we fear driving away visitors, perhaps it is because we are trying to “sneak” them in without proper conviction.  

Wayne Goff