What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit
Well, it was quite a task I gave myself for the board this week. In class, I promised to look into the meaning of the word “fire” in Matthew 3:11. Little did I know that scholars have disagreed for years and years on their interpretations of this phrase. My thoughts, for what they’re worth, are as follows.
The Lord led me to talk about accurate Bible Study this past Sunday. We discussed the proper use of context, cross-references, concordances, and commentaries. The very tips we discussed should be used in this instance. Interestingly, the word “fire” is used in verses 10 and 12; therefore, the meaning in verse 11 can be safely drawn from the flanking verses. The author would not have abruptly switched to another meaning of the word from one sentence to the next, then switched back. I’ll allow you the opportunity to discover the answer to our discussion for yourself.
1. Read the context. How is the word used in the surrounding text?
2. Look for cross-references in your Bible to related Scripture?
3. By using a concordance (or software search feature if you use Bible study software), determine other uses of the word in Scripture and the context that it is used there? Looking for a relevant place to begin? Begin with the references to the same book or to books written by the same human author.
Aside from baptism with fire, this Sunday we began discussing baptism with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist prophesied it in Matthew 3:11 (and parallel passages). Jesus confirmed it in Acts 1:5. We began looking at Acts 2 and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. This coming Sunday, we will finish studying the Pentecost account and discuss the baptism of the Holy Spirit in lives of believers even today. For those of you who prefer to study in advance, additional Scripture references that will be used are: 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 4:6, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 2:20, Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26-28, Acts 4:31, Ephesians 5:18ff, Colossians 3.
May God bless your personal study this week by enlightening the eyes of your understanding and giving you revelation of the knowledge of Himself. (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Please leave a comment regarding what you have learned by clicking on the word ‘comment’ below.
