Some of Jesus’ last words on earth. The disciples were not to use their experiences, the teaching He had provided, the training, the study, none of that until the Holy Spirit was given and received. John describes this step as the gospel itself! Yet today it seems often overlooked.

Violating Jesus’ command by stepping out in ministry of any sort without being clothed, baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit is a recipe for disaster. It amounts to man trying to “do it” through man’s means. Training, study, school, are all institutions of man. Jesus warned that the Holy Spirit is our guide, and our power.

This baptism that John speaks of must be separate from salvation since the disciples were commanded to wait for it after salvation was granted. And it is separate, it happened at Pentecost!

To walk in an any effective ministry, requires that the Holy Spirit be the guide, comforter, power. He keeps us from error and empowers the work or words to be effective. And today we live after Pentecost! The gift of the Great Comforter and power is given, we only need to receive! The power to walk as Jesus did is available to us!

John says that Jesus “shall” baptize us in the Holy Spirit… Shall…

Today is that day!