Written on October 16th, 2004 - 2:57AM Last Updated: January 9th, 2007 - 7:53PM
John the Baptizer had an incredibly important ministry from God the Father—to prepare the way of Yahweh on earth as He arrived in the flesh (John 1:23).
Upon studying his ministry, we find one particular aspect that is very interesting, when looking at the subject of power.
John told his disciples, as well as those who simply asked who he was, that the one whose way he was preparing was more important; it was this coming one about Whom John was sent to testify. He was the final purpose of John's ministry.
It is no surprise that Yahweh then gave John ways of knowing Who this Coming One was. John knew many things about Him: that He was among them already, that His ministry was to begin and endure after John's ended; that His ministry was more important because He existed before him; and that he wasn't even worthy to untie His sandal strap (John 1:26-27).
This is important language. It was the servant of the house that would wash the feet of those who entered, to remove the dirt and other debris that accumlated from the journey. John is saying that he was not even worthy to perform the act of such a lowly servant upon this Coming One.
John then gives testimony:
32John testified, saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. 33I didn't recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, 'On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the HolySpirit.' 34I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God." (John 1:32-34)
Verse 33 is the one that stands out during this study. The purpose of discerning Christ was to recognize that He was the One who would baptize—fully immerse—into the HolySpirit.
Knowing this fact, we can see how important this baptism into the Spirit is! It is the reason John was to recognize Christ and therefore reveals God's intention for us, that we might receive His Spirit, being placed fully into His very presence.
As you read this site, you will hopefully come to know Yahweh more fully.
But all of this continuing knowledge is useless unless and until you come into union with Him. I use the word union because it is truly a marriage. It is that deep connection we all seek, for which we most often look in other people. However, the truth is that our hearts will only be fulfilled when we enter that union in fullness with the One Who made us.
This is the grace of God, that He has not stayed distant for us only to worship as Creator. But He has come unto us, even become one of us—in His Son, ChristJesus—in order to share an intimate union with us. He desires such closeness that it truly will envelope our entire life, transforming us into something new and wonderful.
You may have already entered this union with Him and only seek to know Him better through reading here. But if you have not, as you do read, let this Gospel sink into your heart as you read it now.
God loves you, and has cast your sins into the sea. He has sent His only Son as the Savior of the world—that includes you.
That Son, JesusChrist, was born as a man through a virgin who had given her life to Yahweh; He lived without sin, reflected the glory of His Father, God, in all His words and deeds, and was persecuted even unto death because of it.
His death upon a cross was the powerful explosion that separated you from your life of death. It remains for you, now, to enter into that death with Him. As you die to the one you are now, a person separated from God from your many sins, you will be born anew, with a nature predisposed to live rightly. This gift is free to you, with nothing you can do to earn it. It is the mercy of God to offer it to you, as He loves you so much! All you must do is receive it by trusting Him to have delivered you. Simply place your life in His hands and embrace the freedom that came through that death on the cross.
The Gospel is that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again on the third day after His crucifixion! Death could not hold Him, as He was without sin. And so death will not be able to hold you, as you identify with Him fully through your trust in Him. Let go of yourself and confess Him as Lord of your life. The power of His death and resurrection will work in you all that your Creator has destined for you. You will truly enter a new life and experience that intimate union you have been seeking all of your life.
So ponder these words as you read here of this great God—Yahweh—and all that He has revealed to His creation. Let His Spirit testify to your heart that these words are true, that God is Love, and that He sent His Son so that you might receive the life that is unbound by time and space. As you feel that witness in your heart, simply believe and receive what He is offering to you, even now, and begin your new life as a child of God.
Please write to me and let me know when you take this step, as I will be your brother in Christ—we will be one in Him!
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even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the HolySpirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
Scripture Quotes: World English Bible Translation.
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