Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

“Why is the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11), referred to so early in the Gospels?”

Answer:

John Baptist, in announcing Jehovah-Messiah to His people in Matthew’s gospel, brings His two advents together, whether in grace or judgment. This was suited to His gospel, because He has as Messiah, to do with both. Luke 3:16 also speaks of these two great actions, because as Son of man, the character in which Luke presents Him, He has to do with judgment, as well as grace and suffering. Mark 1:8, and John 1:33, both omit that of “fire” the former having to do with His then service on earth, and present service of grace with His servants ― not with judgment, and John only speaks of His baptizing with the Holy Ghost as connected with His revelation of the Father in grace. The thought, in presenting it so early in the gospels, is rather the person who was to do it, in contrast to His forerunner, who baptized with water unto repentance, etc. We know that it was not accomplished until Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, with the Jews; and Acts 10 subsequently, with the Gentiles. See Acts 1:5, where only the baptism of the Holy Ghost is named; not that of the fire of judgment, which will take place at His second advent with the world. Also Acts 11:15-16, where the Gentiles are connected with this baptism. (See also 1 Corinthians 12:13.)