This week’s sermon from John Piper: “This Is He Who Baptizes with the Holy Spirit”
John the Baptist is known for his baptizing. That’s how we distinguish him from other Johns. And it is John the Baptist himself who announces that Jesus does the real baptizing. Jesus does not merely baptize with water but with the Holy Spirit.
This means at least 3 things:
- The Holy Spirit comes through Jesus.
- Jesus immerses people in the Spirit.
- Baptism signifies all that the Spirit does for us.
John’s Gospel gives 4 effects of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He…
- …gives new life.
- …makes us not just life-getters, but also life-givers.
- …witnesses to Jesus.
- …glorifies Jesus.
These last two points provide an answer to why baptism in the Spirit is a testimony mainly to Jesus, and not mainly to the Holy Spirit: Because the Holy Spirit is the most self-effacing, humble person of Trinity. When he comes, he comes to witness to and glorify Jesus who is the ground and goal of spiritual baptism.